Common talk about migration maintains harmful assumptions

In statistics, a ‘migrant’ typically refers to anyone born abroad. These are people who have moved to a new country for various reasons, yet the everyday talk about migration is narrow and politically loaded, Anderson thinks. 

“We recreate ‘the migrant’ as a problem person, as we recreate ‘the criminal’ or ‘the single mother’. Talking about migrants is often just a more polite way of talking about race and class. While an American banker in London might be subjected to immigration controls, they’re not really considered a migrant. When people talk about the problem of migration, they’re not talking about that person.”  

It may not be so obvious, but the languages of ecology, movement and invasion in biology are used in similar ways when talking about human movement.

Bridget Anderson

‘Migrant’ and ‘citizen’ are legally constructed terms that promote the dichotomy of ‘us’ and ‘them’. ‘Integration’ adds to the cluster of problematic terms – it suggests that the newly arrived must ‘be integrated’, as if they were passive subjects and a burden to society. Still, integration talk is commonly deployed by policymakers and people supportive of migrants.  

In addition to being careful about using these terms, we should think about their definitions in different contexts, whether it is in the news or data, Anderson emphasises. 

Conventional interpretations sit tight, even in migration studies. Doing research without remaking the oppressive relations is a real challenge, but working across disciplines can open up new perspectives.

“In Bristol, where I’m based, we have very wide disciplines and a lot of creative engagements. We have planted some land to get people to think about what an invasive species is and what a natural species is. It may not be so obvious, but the languages of ecology, movement and invasion in biology are used in similar ways when talking about human movement,” Anderson says.

When talking to people in the streets, she has found that their understanding of integration actually draws from ideas of community. She is now interested in learning from the Swedish experience. 

Malmö and Bristol share many similarities, and both cities have the potential to lead the way towards more just social relations. 

“Bristol and Malmö are both port cities with a high migrant and refugee population. They have universities that take this quite seriously, have a strong student body and relate closely to the cities where they sit. There are also officials in local governments who are really interested in making good policy regarding asylum and immigration.”

Text: Anna Jaakonaho