In the Margin of the Welfare State: Labour Market Position and Housing Conditions of Undocumented Immigrants in Rotterdam

Abstract

Undocumented immigrants form a substantial share of minority populations. Data on the city of Rotterdam show that the fate of undocumented immigrants to a large degree is dependent on established migrant communities. Differences between migrant communities in terms of numbers and access to social housing seem to have significant effects on the position of undocumented immigrants with the same ethnic or national background. Undocumented immigrants both feed on and contribute to migrant communities in terms of housing opportunity and segregation. In the age of migration, any serious study of migrant communities has to take into account the presence and social position of undocumented immigrants.