Vailla virallista statusta : epävirallisia keinoja käyttävässä kansainvälisessä siirtolaisuudessa kiinnijääneiden naisten puheenvuoroja Mexicon keskussiirtolaisasemalla

Women's international migration without documents is a social phenomenon with large global significance. It is also an everyday reality in which people search for concrete solutions to global problems. In this study my aim is to bring this reality forward through the experiences of 26 Latin-American women who have failed either in their attempt to travel through Mexico to the United States without the necessary documents, or in their attempt to live and work in Mexico without a permit, and were thereby held inside the detention centre in Mexico City while waiting to be deported. This study aims at listening to what they have to say. As a writer, I start by examining international migration as a social and societal phenomenon. I move forward to the concrete experiences of the women inside the walls of the detention centre. Women's experiences are then mirrored back to studies and theories on international migration and to the general discussion around the phenomenon. The study concentrates in women's international migration on the move and, at the same time, in the moment of detention. This moment has not been examined or explored in most of the investigation on international migration. Through women's experiences I also wish to grasp a glimpse of the clienthood formed inside the overcrowded detention centres for migrants in the borders of the world's rich and poor. Mexico is situated at this type of a border and is thereby an interesting place to study international migration. Women's interviews were semi-structured. The analysis reflects the premises of standpoint theory, which concentrates on the knowledge and subjectivity of the everyday actor. At times the interviews reflected previous investigations, but different aspects of the discussion were also challenged, such as presentations of the women in undocumented migration as victims, 'illegals' or criminals. Women had left their countries in order to find work and in doing so also challenged investigations that see men as sole or primary actors in migration. Migration was often represented as a sacrifice for the future of the family and, specifically, for that of their children, thus leaving any personal goals in the background. Separation from the children produced feelings of guilt. In general, women's networks for migration were limited. Loss of freedom, loss of control over one's situation, loss of individuality and time that seemed endless stood out as difficult aspects inside the detention centre. Lack of official documents and status led to conflicts between the individual and the surrounding society. Women expressed disappointment and desperation because of the failed attempt, but also a new strength achieved through this ordeal. Many stated that they were going to try again. In the study theories and studies on international migration, social work studies, gender studies and Latin American studies intervene. Interviews with different grass root actors involved in the work inside the migration centre are also used as references.