Away from home and excluded from local solidarity networks: Undocumented Afghan migrant men in Istanbul

Abstract

The paper presents a study on the solidarity networks of undocumented Afghan male migrants in Istanbul. The research was conducted between August 2015 and June 2020 in the migrant districts of Beykoz, Zeytinburnu and Fatih. The study found that Afghan migrants are excluded from existing local solidarity networks and instead form their own networks as a survival strategy. The study posits that there are three primary solidarity networks knitted by locals, which are ‘family’, ‘hometown’ and ‘neighbourhood’. We argue that the foundation of the solidarity networks among the locals is their shared language(s), mutual recognition, shared socio-historical background and unofficial trust, making it difficult for newcomers to become a part of this solidarity. Afghan migrants are unable to access these networks, which aggravates their social exclusion. They use their social exclusion as a survival strategy and continue with their migration aspirations.