Constructions of ‘Illegal’ Immigration and Entitlement to Citizenship: Debating an Immigration Law in Greece

Abstract

This study explores the ways in which constructions of immigrants' illegality and accounts on the meaning of naturalization and citizenship serve as argumentative resources against a particular immigration law in Greece. Data consisted of transcripts of parliamentary speeches by political party leaders who opposed the law. Analysis used the tools and concepts of discursive and rhetorical social psychology and identified three main lines of arguing. The first set clear boundaries between 'legal' and 'illegal' immigration and constructed immigrants' (il)legal entry as a category defining criterion. The second represented legal status as subject to change and constructed immigrants as 'legalized', in order to argue against their entitlement to citizenship. Finally, in another sort of accounting, regularization and naturalization procedures were trivialized, as the speakers negotiated the necessary, and also the ideal conditions of co-existence and participation in a nation-state. The findings are discussed in relation to their potential contribution (i) to the existing literature on the constituted and constitutive nature of the category of illegal immigration and (ii) to a social psychological approach to citizenship.

Using national history to construct the boundaries of citizenship: An analysis of Greek citizens’ discourse about immigrants’ rights.

“…In the political arena, research demonstrates the strong opposition by the conservative and extreme right-wing parties, who asked for stricter criteria and a public referendum (Figgou, 2015). According to Gropas, Kouki and Triandafyllidou (2011) the parliamentary debates juxtaposed the ethnic and the civic view of the national community and "in this juxtaposition, the role of references to history and us/them categorizations are crucial semantic tools to put forward the competing arguments of the political parties" (Gropas, et al, 2011 p. 18).…”

Essentialism in Social Representations of Citizenship: An Analysis of Greeks' and Migrants' Discourse

“…While supporters argued that it would serve as a means for migrants' integration, opponents maintained that it would encourage mass “illegal” immigration to the country (Anagnostou, ). Analysis of the parliamentary discourse of the time (Figgou, ) reflects the controversies the legislation evoked. Far and center right‐wing opposition parties, “New Democracy” and “LAOS,” intensely criticized the legislation asking for stricter criteria and for a referendum accordingly.…”

“…To strengthen her claim, Politimi argues that Greece should follow the example of other countries and not grant “ithagenia.” By drawing a rigid opposition (Gillespie, ) between the two practically synonymous terms, she is able to allow rights of citizenship recognition to migrants while reserving the right to being called Greek to only those of Greek descent. Implicitly, this opposition creates a hierarchy of citizenship rights, with “ithagenia” being a higher form to “ipikootita” (see also political discourse on the issue i.e., Figgou, ). Reference to this necessary criterion of descent, marked by the specific term of “ithagenia” makes the category of Greek discrete (Haslam et al, ) from other national identities.…”

“Europe” in Greece: Lay constructions of Europe in the context of Greek immigration debates

“…(Christopoulos, ) Representations of Greek national identity are particularly ethnicised. (Andreouli, Kadianaki, & Xenitidou, ; Kadianaki & Andreouli, ) Also, migrants are represented as aggressive, criminal, (Figgou, Sapountzis, Bozatzis, Gardikiotis, & Pantazis, ; Sapountzis et al, ) and illegal, (Figgou, ) with Muslim minorities being particularly othered, to a large extent, due to the significance of Orthodox Christianity for Greek identity. (Triandafyllidou & Gropas, )…”

“…The legislation targeted particularly second generation migrant children who could now become Greek citizens through birth in Greece or upon successful completion of 6 years of Greek schooling. The new law was heavily disputed both in public (Kadianaki & Andreouli, ) and in political (Figgou, ) debates. It was passed by parliament, but it was annulled in early 2013.…”