Examining Discourse of Undocumented Migration and Religious Faith: An Intersectional Approach

Abstract

The present study delves into the self-narratives voluntarily shared by Algerian undocumented migrants on publicly accessible social media platforms. It aims to unveil the multifaceted experiences of these migrants, exploring the pivotal role of faith within their narratives. Employing overarching intersectionality theories and critical discourse analysis approaches, these narratives highlight the importance of religious faith in justifying migrants' irregular journeys and shaping their aspirations for a better future, indicating a need to reevaluate its significance in their identity construction. Additionally, the analysis uncovers a prevalent narrative of mistreatment and a deep sense of non-belonging among undocumented migrants, revealing how discourse constructs perceptions of being the Other and perpetuates their marginalization by reducing them to objects of surveillance in host countries.