Book Review: Transnational Mobility and Externalization of EU Borders;Social Work,Migration Management,and Resistance

The interplay between migration, border management, and social work has emerged as one of the most pressing topics in contemporary global discourse, particularly against the backdrop of unprecedented levels of forced displacement and evolving geopolitical challenges. This book offers a critical and timely exploration of this nexus. Published by Lexington Books, this volume situates the role of social work within the broader contexts of EU migration policies, resistance movements, and the human rights implications of border externalization.

Furthermore, the intersection of border externalization and social work raises critical questions about the ethical responsibilities of social workers. As the profession increasingly aligns itself with human rights principles, there is a pressing need for social work education and practice to address the complexities of working with populations impacted by border policies (Stamm, 2023; Šućur-Janjetović, 2023). The human rights implications of border externalization in social work contexts are multifaceted and deeply concerning. The interplay between increased vulnerability, systemic violence, and the ethical obligations of social workers necessitates a critical examination of current practices and policies (Augustová et al., 2023; Willers, 2023). Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort to advocate for the rights of migrants and to develop social work strategies that are informed by a robust understanding of human rights.

The book is structured into four parts; Part I, Theoretical Engagements and Historical Contexts, Part II Entanglements of Social Work and Externalization of EU Migration Regimes, Part III, COVID-19, Migration Management, and Social Work, and Part IV, Resistance and Collective Action. It presents diverse perspectives through empirical studies and theoretical reflections, critically analysing the complicity and challenges faced by social work in navigating the externalization of EU borders.

The first section, Theoretical Engagements and Historical Contexts, introduces foundational concepts that frame the relationship between social work and migration. This section critically examines how social work practices have evolved in response to displacement and forced migration. The contributors engage with historical genealogies of migration policies, particularly highlighting their colonial underpinnings and the ways these legacies shape current practices. Paul Stubbs provides a compelling analysis of Socialist Yugoslavia's participation in the non-aligned movement, linking these historical practices to contemporary approaches to migration. Meanwhile, Nikos Xypolytas and Michalis Psimitis interrogate the depoliticization of refugees, revealing how Western ideologies often portray displaced populations as pre-political subjects rather than active agents of change. Diana Marciele Kerber adds to this discussion by critiquing the cultural assumptions embedded within social work practices, using the migration of Brazilian women as a case study to explore the ethical dilemmas arising from such assumptions.

In the second section, Entanglements of Social Work and Externalization of EU Migration Regimes, the contributors delve deeper into the operational complexities of social work within the broader landscape of EU migration governance. The chapters emphasize how social workers navigate categorization dilemmas and structural constraints imposed by externalization policies. Petra Daňková's chapter on Nigeria is particularly illuminating, as it highlights how EU-driven migration policies disrupt local social dynamics and complicate the categorization of individuals as migrants or refugees. Viola Castellano provides a critical perspective on the Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration programs in The Gambia, revealing the tensions between humanitarian objectives and the coercive nature of such initiatives. Emilio J. Gómez-Ciriano and Sergio Barciela Fernández shift the focus to the Spanish context, where they examine the role of social workers in addressing the humanitarian crises along the Western Mediterranean and West African migration routes. This section underscores the precarious position of social workers, who are often torn between advocating for human rights and enforcing restrictive migration policies.

The third section, COVID-19, Migration Management, and Social Work, situates the discussion within the recent global pandemic and its exacerbation of existing inequalities in migration management. The pandemic is framed as both a public health crisis and a social justice challenge, revealing how marginalized populations, including migrants and refugees, face disproportionate vulnerabilities. Roberta Teresa Di Rosa examines the Italian context, highlighting how COVID-19 intensified exclusionary mechanisms and undermined social work's commitment to human rights. Alexandra Kattein offers an autoethnographic account of her experiences as a social worker in a Berlin shelter during the pandemic, documenting the ethical tensions and professional challenges that arose in this crisis. Guillermo Yrizar Barbosa's chapter broadens the discussion by exploring the human rights situation of international migrants in Mexico, drawing parallels between the EU's externalization strategies and similar practices along the US-Mexico border. This section powerfully illustrates how crises like the pandemic exacerbate existing disparities and call for more resilient and inclusive social work practices.

The final section, Resistance and Collective Action, offers a hopeful perspective by exploring the potential for social work to serve as a catalyst for resistance and transformative action. Jessica Washburn's chapter on refugee camps in Lesvos, Greece, illustrates the tension between social work practices that reinforce management structures and those that empower refugees through collective action. Theresa Becker examines the criminalization of civil sea rescue operations in the Mediterranean, highlighting how social workers and activists navigate the legal and political obstacles to saving lives. EvaMaria Greber concludes this section by analyzing the forms of resistance enacted by refugees themselves, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and supporting these efforts as integral to social work's mission. This section underscores the book's central argument: social work must align itself with the principles of social justice and human rights, even in the face of restrictive political and institutional pressures.

The editors and contributors of this book employed an interdisciplinary research framework that integrates qualitative, theoretical, and empirical approaches. The book's methodology aligns with its thematic focus on migration, social work, and resistance, drawing from multiple disciplines such as social work, political science, civic education, sociology, and migration studies.

Theoretical frameworks underpin the analysis across the chapters, with particular attention to postcolonial studies, critical social work theory, and human rights frameworks. These theoretical perspectives allow the authors to critically interrogate the historical and political structures that shape migration policies and their impacts on social work practices. The integration of critical social work theory with human rights frameworks is essential for advancing social justice and addressing the needs of marginalized groups (Stamm, 2023; Šućur-Janjetović, 2023). The commitment to human rights will remain a cornerstone of effective social work interventions. Concepts such as coloniality, othering, and necropolitics are employed to analyse the externalization of EU borders and its repercussions on displaced populations.

Empirical methodologies are central to many chapters, with contributors utilizing qualitative methods such as case studies, interviews, and ethnographic research. For instance, chapters on Nigeria and The Gambia incorporate fieldwork to examine the lived experiences of migrants and the roles of social workers in these contexts. Ethnographic observations provide nuanced insights into how EU-driven migration policies interact with local realities and the challenges faced by practitioners on the ground.

The book also relies on critical discourse analysis to examine the narratives and frameworks underpinning migration management regimes. Through this method, contributors deconstruct the language and policies of migration control to reveal embedded power dynamics and systemic inequalities. For example, proposals and official documents related to migration policies are scrutinized to highlight how categories such as “refugee” and “migrant” are constructed and operationalized in ways that perpetuate marginalization.

Comparative analysis is another methodological tool used across the volume. The chapters juxtapose case studies from different geographical regions, including Europe, Africa, and Latin America, to highlight commonalities and divergences in migration management practices. This approach enables a broader understanding of the global implications of border externalization and the role of social work in diverse contexts.

Autoethnography features prominently in specific contributions, particularly those examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, the chapter detailing social work in Berlin during the pandemic integrates personal reflections with professional observations, offering a deeply human perspective on the ethical and practical challenges faced by practitioners.

Additionally, the book includes participatory approaches that emphasize the voices and agency of displaced populations. By integrating perspectives from migrants, refugees, and social workers, the authors foreground the lived experiences of those directly affected by migration policies. This participatory emphasis aligns with the book's broader commitment to human rights and social justice.

The book's greatest strength lies in its interdisciplinary approach. Drawing on postcolonial theory, critical social work, and migration studies, it bridges theoretical rigor with empirical inquiry. This approach enriches the analysis, allowing contributors to critically interrogate the socio-political structures that underpin EU migration policies. The integration of case studies from Europe, Africa, and Latin America strengthens the book's global perspective, highlighting the interconnected nature of migration regimes. Such diversity offers readers a comprehensive understanding of how externalization policies manifest in different contexts and their implications for social work.

Another commendable aspect is the book's focus on the role of social workers. It presents social work not only as a profession tasked with addressing the immediate needs of migrants but also as a site of potential resistance to oppressive systems. This dual focus challenges the profession to critically reflect on its complicity in perpetuating systemic inequalities while inspiring practitioners to adopt transformative practices rooted in human rights. This theme is particularly evident in chapters that explore the ethical dilemmas faced by social workers in implementing restrictive migration policies.

The book's treatment of COVID-19 as a case study for exacerbating existing inequalities is timely and insightful. The pandemic's impact on migration and the ethical challenges it presented for social workers are well-documented. However, the contributors go beyond documentation, critically analysing the systemic failures that disproportionately affected marginalized groups and proposing ways for social work to adapt in such crises.

Despite its many strengths, the book is not without limitations. One area where the volume could have been strengthened is in its engagement with policy recommendations. While it offers critical reflections on the failings of EU migration policies and the challenges faced by social workers, the practical guidance for policymakers and practitioners remains somewhat underdeveloped. Including concrete strategies to navigate or subvert the restrictive structures of externalization policies would have added greater utility for both academics and practitioners.

Another limitation is the uneven depth of some chapters. While most contributions are deeply engaging, certain sections provide more descriptive accounts than critical analyses. For instance, some chapters focusing on specific geographical contexts could have benefitted from deeper engagement with broader theoretical frameworks to connect local findings with global implications.

The volume's reliance on qualitative methodologies, while rich in narrative detail, could be complemented by quantitative insights to provide a more comprehensive view of migration trends and their socio-political impacts. Incorporating statistical data or longitudinal studies could enhance the book's appeal to a broader audience, including policymakers and scholars from disciplines less familiar with qualitative research.

Lastly, while the book emphasizes the importance of resistance and collective action, the practicalities of fostering such resistance are less explored. Social work's role as a potential agent of change is compellingly argued, but more examples of successful resistance strategies, particularly those that have influenced policy or improved conditions for migrants, would provide a stronger foundation for future action.

The implications of this book are profound across the fields of social work, management, and citizenship education. Social work is intricately tied to the processes and challenges described in this book. Social workers are at the forefront of migration management, often positioned as mediators between policy frameworks and human rights advocacy. The book emphasizes the need for critical reflection within social work to resist being co-opted into dehumanizing systems of control. It proposes that practitioners should pivot towards empowerment and solidarity, questioning normative views of integration that perpetuate exclusion. This aligns with the mission of social work to uphold human dignity and advocate for systemic change, particularly when working with marginalized populations such as refugees and migrants.

In management, particularly migration management, the book unveils the mechanisms of EU border externalization, which often blend foreign policy, trade, and development aid into migration control strategies. Furthermore, the concept of “humanitarian borderwork” highlights the dual role aid organizations play in implementing and contesting restrictive policies, suggesting a need for introspection in management practices within international organizations. For civic education, the book provides critical insights into the societal dynamics of inclusion and exclusion, underscoring the necessity of fostering a global citizenship mindset. The discussions on othering, cultural stereotyping, and the framing of migrants challenge educators to incorporate critical pedagogy that dismantles biases and promotes inclusive narratives.

Overall, this book is an essential contribution to the fields of migration studies, social work, and human rights advocacy. Its interdisciplinary approach, combining theoretical insights with empirical case studies, makes it a valuable resource for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers alike. The book's emphasis on critical reflexivity and resistance aligns with the evolving demands of social work in an increasingly interconnected and inequitable world. By confronting the ethical dilemmas and structural constraints faced by social workers, this volume provides a roadmap for reimagining the profession as a force for social justice and human dignity.

In social work, this book would be a valuable resource in courses focusing on migration, human rights, and global social justice. It aligns particularly well with classes like Social Work and Migration or Human Rights and Social Work Practice. The discussions on the ethical dilemmas faced by social workers, including their complicity in oppressive systems and opportunities for empowerment and resistance, make it an essential tool for fostering critical thinking about social work's role in transnational contexts. Furthermore, it could enrich topics on anti-oppressive practice, equipping students with the analytical tools to address systemic inequality and cultural biases.

For management programs, particularly those concentrating on nonprofit and public sector management, the book fits into courses such as International Development and Migration Policy or Ethics in Humanitarian Management. The exploration of how EU migration management externalizes borders and merges humanitarian efforts with restrictive policies provides a framework for discussing ethical management practices. Students studying organizational behavior or global project management can use this book to analyze the tensions between local practices and global policies, emphasizing the importance of ethical decision-making in complex international environments.

In civic education, the book is ideal for courses like Global Citizenship and Human Rights Education or Civic Engagement in a Multicultural Society. Its critique of cultural othering and its emphasis on fostering inclusive and just societies resonate with the goals of civic education to develop critical, globally conscious citizens. The text could also enhance discussions in Civic Ethics and Responsibility, where it provides real-world examples of how societal structures and migration policies intersect to shape the lived experiences of marginalized populations.

Across all these disciplines, the book's interdisciplinary nature supports its use in seminars or workshops addressing themes such as transnational justice, global inequality, and the intersection of migration and public policy. Its theoretical grounding and practical case studies offer a comprehensive resource for deepening student understanding of these critical global issues.