Giving shelter : The logics and likelihood of irregular migrants receiving shelter from nongovernmental organizations in the Netherlands

Abstract

Irregular migrants are increasingly excluded from social welfare by rigid laws. Still they manage to survive in the Netherlands. The majority manages to survive by their own means and relations; however a small part increasingly needs the support of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and municipalities. It is argued that this small part illustrates the characteristics and consequences of being an irregular migrant. Some of the rough consequences of being an irregular migrant become clear in the outcomes of the limited capabilities of the NGOs and municipalities. Not all irregular migrants who need help can be supported and NGOs as well as municipalities have to distinguish which irregular migrants are given or denied support. To study these characteristics, the main question is formulated as follows: ‘’what influences the chances of irregular migrants on receiving shelter from nongovernmental organizations in the Netherlands? ‘’