Criminalization of Solidarity and Production of Fear at the Border: The Case of the French Basque Country Border Area

Abstract

[Abstract] In recent years, numerous migrants have reached Europe. During their migration, they have encountered activists and NGOs who have provided rescue operations in the Mediterranean, supported their journeys through Europe, and welcomed them into cities. However, under the guise of controlling illegal immigration, many countries are targeting both migrants and their allies. This complex criminalization apparatus creates a continuum of control, harassment, and repression fostering a climate of fear that merits analysis. This paper delves into the case study of the Bidasoa border area (in the French Basque Country) to analyse the atmosphere of fear generated by the policing practices at the border. It also explores the impacts of these practices on the lives of activists and migrants, shedding light on how such measures reinforce the exclusionary dynamics of the border regime.