Imigrantes em Centro de Instalação Temporário

: das histórias de irregularidade à experiência da detenção

Abstract

In a context of globalization, the irregular immigration has raised some relevant issues to the social sciences. The current european policies on irregular immigration management have reinforced detention and expulsion as control mechanisms of those flows (Bosworth, 2012; Grant; 2011; Boswell, 2007; Gutchneire, 2007). The fear of these foreign citizens raised within the society, Wermuth (2011) legitimates these mechanisms of social control which have physical and psychological impact (Devas Project, 2009). In Portugal, the time limit on detention in a Temporary Internment Centre (TIC) is 60 days (Law 29/2012, 4 July). In 2013, 162 people passed through this centre (JRS, 2013) with a stay of approximately 26 days (26,2) (JRS, 2013). Given this finding, and from the point of view of 10 citizens detained in the TIC between April 2013 and March 2014, this qualitatives’ methodology study aimed to understand the reasons of the participants for leaving their country and to identify the reasons that explain the irregularity. Secondly, in the light of the migratory route of each participant, this study also sought to know what means for each participant the fact of being in a CIT, as well as being away from their country. In what regards the detention, the obtained results suggest that this control mechanism is understood by the participants as a deprivation of freedom and it is internalized as a punishment for the simple fact that they are administratively in an irregular situation. Moreover, as a result of detention irregularity becomes similar to a criminal act. Concerning expulsion, it represents a rupture in their life project and it comes down to the lack of future prospects.

Date of Award	28 Jul 2014
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Raquel Matos (Supervisor)