The Grey Zone and Liminality as Complementary Conceptual Approaches for Border and Migration Studies Capturing Structural Ambiguities and Migrants’ Experiences of Border Regimes

Abstract

The article explores the analytical value of the concepts of the grey zone and liminality for border and migration studies. It argues that the concepts can be used in a complementary way in order to highlight the interrelationship between structural and individual dimensions of migration: The concept of the grey zone makes the institutional production of ambiguous and often discriminating legal and political spaces visible. Liminality  highlights the spatial, social, temporal and legal in-between-ness of migrants and captures demonstrations of  agency even under restrictive regimes.