Good immigrants, impossible standards: Identity, Exclusion and Resistance Among Non-EU Migrants in Sweden

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore how non-EU migrants legally residing in Sweden construct narrative identity in relation to experiences of social exclusion. Meaning, how do they make sense of both perceived injustices and also their lack of access to the rights that
Swedish citizens enjoy. Moreover, previous research on hostile policies, narrative identity and state sanctioned discriminatory highlights that there is a need to further explore and learn about how migrants construct and adopt certain narratives in conjunction with their navigation of immigration systems. As such, the research question will be answered through the use of concepts and theories on narrative criminology, labelling theory, dramaturgical analysis, capital and social identity. By using semi-structured qualitative interviews and
ethnographic fieldnotes, I analyse the obtained data and through that reach the conclusion that Non-EU migrants construct a narrative identity that is deeply tied to the ideology of the good
immigrant. The promise of the ideology not matching their perceptions of reality has laid the groundwork for feelings of betrayal which has been fueled by their negative perceptions of the Swedish migration institutions conduct. Furthermore, the perception of the Swedish migration as an unreadable system further enhances these beliefs. Nevertheless, whilst there are some alignments between this thesis and previous research, it does nonetheless also give room for further research on topics relating to narrative identity and migration navigation.

Popular Abstract

Sweden for a long time has been celebrated as being one of the world’s most welcoming and progressive societies, as a country built on values of equality, inclusion and openness.
However, for the people who have chosen to start their lives here, the reality of navigating the Swedish migration system is completely different. Previous research has shown that most of
the difficulties they face in navigating the migration institutions in Sweden is a consequence of the so-called migrant crisis of 2015 and the strict measurements towards immigration it normalized. This study set out to understand that reality and what it found was complex and
informative.

Drawing on interviews with seven non-EU migrants legally living in Sweden, this study explored the ways in which people make sense of the system they are navigating that forces them to question their sense of self and the effects it has on them. Moreover, what my thesis discovered was individuals who followed the expectations of learning the language, building relationships, paid their taxes and overall contributed to Swedish society, just to realize that it was not enough to guarantee them the recognition and security they were seeking and had
worked so hard towards. Their subscription to the ideals of the good immigrants and its misalignment with reality has created a group of frustrated people who feel both betrayed and not heard.

The conclusion of this thesis suggests that belonging in Sweden is not evenly distributed according to a universal belief but is instead influenced and shaped by legal category and geopolitical contexts that shape how the migration institutions operate. The findings of this
thesis contributes to the understanding regarding how the institutional practices and policy framework that factor into migration governance create conditions that need to be further examined.

• author: Huseen, Liban
• supervisor: Tove Gustavsson
• organization: Department of Sociology
• course: CCRM21 20261
• year: 2026
• type: H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
• subject: Social Sciences
• keywords: Non-EU Migrants, Narrative Identity, Bureaucratic Bordering, Impression Management, Good Immigrant, Sweden.
• language: English
• id: 9249676
• date added to LUP: 2026-09-14 08:00:21
• date last changed: 2026-09-14 08:00:21