ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the critical citizenship and border studies approach in order to provide insights into how rejected asylum seekers experience invisible borders and border mechanisms. The border here is seen not only as a spatial and material phenomenon that marks the frontier of a state's territory but as a phenomenon that is socially, politically, and legally produced. Migrants who fail to abide by the order are considered to be in Switzerland unlawfully. The Swiss government regularly, and often forcefully, deports people. Yet, deportations are hindered or postponed by practical, legal, and diplomatic constraints such as the unavailability of their traveling and identification documents. Rejected asylum seekers have already experienced various border practices. During their journey to Switzerland, rejected asylum seekers have met with all manner of frontiers, barriers, and obstacles. In spite of the dangers of the EUropean border regime, they have succeeded in making their way across a number of borders.
