Fearmongering over so-called illegal migration persists in dominating vicious and misleading public discourses. All over the world, violent and deadly bordering measures are continuously ramped up to stop the movement of those deemed undesirable and/or undeserving.

Cynical, opportunist, & dangerous politicians compete in making the same ineffective and legally dubious promises – stop the boats! State agents and other actors– with or without mask, sheepishly or with patriotic fervour – enforce brutal measures that cause more harm & increase deaths for migrants.

In the UK, the anti-immigration riots depressingly illustrate how misinformation, racism, inequalities, and charged-up affects can be manipulated to target refugees and migrants instead of those responsible in the age of austerity for rising costs of living, strained NHS, lack of affordable housing

Amidst all this we hear the same voices from the [far] right purporting to speak on behalf of decent and concerned citizens – but we hardly hear from those who demonstrate care and solidarity while calling for equality and justice.

We certainly don’t hear enough of what the so-called illegal migrants have to say about their journeys, lives, and hopes.

As we start a new academic year, I am sharing again details about my book published just over the summer: “The adventure: violent borders, illegal migration, and the uncertain quest for life in Morocco” (Manchester University Press): manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526177681/