On the Margins

Sweden is known as one of the most generous countries in the world when it comes to migration politics. Relying upon principles of universalism and egalitarianism, it has committed itself to social rights to migrants and received more migrants than most other places in Europe. A decade back in 2008, Swedish labour migration policy was transformed to one of the most open in whole OECD. Yet, at times, the spotlight on Swedish migration politics moves away from this image.

On the Margins, displays stories of migrants affected by the labour migration policy reform, more specially those whose presence in Sweden is built around work permits. It brings forth experiences of migrants who switch “tracks” between statuses on the basis of work – between asylum, labour and student migration channels - to avoid deportation, seek refuge or prolong a temporary stay amid a shifting Swedish migration terrain, a place that is both inclusionary and exclusionary at the same time.