Mid Sweden University

The purpose of this study is to explore how the undocumented movement “We are Here”, mobilise and create strategies for social change in the Netherlands. The aim is to listen to the voices of undocumented movement participants and their knowledge, experience and visions and through critical perspectives situate their struggle for change in its socio-political context. Interviews were made with four activists and the empiric material further consists of the researchers own participant observations and reflections through ethnographic methods. Collective empowerment in its radical form originating from Paolo Freire and postcolonial perspectives were used to analyse the resistant acts that the undocumented movement uses as strategies to unmask (post)colonial power structures in the Netherlands. The results of the study shows that “We are Here’s” visibility, legal grey-area strategies such as occupying buildings (squatting) and finding legal forms of supporting themselves economically, proves collective empowerment and shed light on oppressive tactics used by a neoliberal and neocolonial government in the Netherlands. The author argues that listening to the voices of undocumented activists and learning from their situation and claims brings knowledge to the social work arena. Social work is a human rights profession and thus social workers have a responsibility to work for the inclusion of all people regardless of their legal status.