Irregular Migration and Invisible Welfare

This book examines the paradoxical position of irregular migrants in European society, who are often labelled as 'illegal' residents but who in fact provide much needed, essential support to welfare systems. Focusing on care work at home for the elderly, the book argues that increasingly restrictive immigration policies directly contradicts the growing need for care-givers since the majority of those employed are a result of illegal immigration. The book also explores the personal issues faced by these irregular migrants such as their concerns for family members that are left behind and the pressures that migration imposes on these relationships as migrants struggle to improve the daily conditions of their lives.