Lorenzo De Lucia is a social worker with an MA in Migration Studies from the University of Sussex working on migrants’ everyday life experiences in the Italian and Belgian context. Lorenzo studied in Belgium, Colombia and the United Kingdom, and obtained his MA thanks to the University of Sussex Chancellor’s Master Scholarship. His research explores the consequences of the “transit migration frame” on migrants’ integration in the Franco-Italian border city of Ventimiglia. He pays a particular attention to the way local non-governmental actors act and interact in the field of migration and diversity and how this can foster or hinder integration opportunities for newcomers.
This dissertation aims at understanding the consequences of the “transit migration frame” on migr... more This dissertation aims at understanding the consequences of the “transit migration frame” on migrants’ “integration” in a border city. Through the case of the city of Ventimiglia, drawing on a qualitative approach blending semistructured interviews with representatives of local actors, participant observation within the organisations and the urban space, and analysis of grey literature, this dissertation wants to make sense of a paradoxical situation. While there is a growing presence of migrants in Ventimiglia, there is a neglect of those staying for medium to long periods of time. Through the adoption of a bottom-up perspective following the local turn in the study of migration and diversity, this dissertation focuses on the actions and interactions of the local actors that create a specific and structured space around the issue, creating opportunities or obstacles to integration. First, I argue that the “transit migration frame” concentrates the contestatory action on border issues, diverting local actors' attention from integration issues. Second, it invisibilises the multitude of migratory paths leading to an inappropriateness of the services available in the city. Finally, "transit frame" strengthens the necessity of bordering and encampment that results in the segregation of the migrant population, limiting integration opportunities. Border cities are not deemed to be hostiles places for migrants. If the border can hardly be removed, the way actors frame migration can be a path to go through.
This dissertation aims at understanding the consequences of the “transit migration frame” on migr... more This dissertation aims at understanding the consequences of the “transit migration frame” on migrants’ “integration” in a border city. Through the case of the city of Ventimiglia, drawing on a qualitative approach blending semistructured interviews with representatives of local actors, participant observation within the organisations and the urban space, and analysis of grey literature, this dissertation wants to make sense of a paradoxical situation. While there is a growing presence of migrants in Ventimiglia, there is a neglect of those staying for medium to long periods of time. Through the adoption of a bottom-up perspective following the local turn in the study of migration and diversity, this dissertation focuses on the actions and interactions of the local actors that create a specific and structured space around the issue, creating opportunities or obstacles to integration. First, I argue that the “transit migration frame” concentrates the contestatory action on border issues, diverting local actors' attention from integration issues. Second, it invisibilises the multitude of migratory paths leading to an inappropriateness of the services available in the city. Finally, "transit frame" strengthens the necessity of bordering and encampment that results in the segregation of the migrant population, limiting integration opportunities. Border cities are not deemed to be hostiles places for migrants. If the border can hardly be removed, the way actors frame migration can be a path to go through.
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