Emotional geographies of irregular transmigrants’ journeys

Abstract

Abstract Migrants’ journeys involve geopolitical, corporeal, and emotional dimensions. Yet, emotions, which are fundamental to understand the migrant experience, are usually overlooked. Following the ‘emotional geographies’ approach, this article analyses the spatial contextualisation of the affective and emotional experiences of irregular migrants in transit. Cognitive mapping methodology is proposed as a means to address the spatial and subjective dimensions of migrants’ experiences. The ‘testimonial maps’ of two Central American transmigrants in Mexico are explored. The emotional geographies of irregular transmigration underscore the emotional turmoil associated with the irregular migratory process(es). They shed light to the familiar arrangements made before the journey, the natural landscape as part of the control, the encounters with agents of the state and criminal actors, the sanctuary places, the acquaintances and fortuitous friendships, the resilience and adaptability needed for endure the journey, and, beneath all this, the multi-emotional dimension of the journey: love, sorrow, shame, courage, anxiety, fear, trust, kindness, and hope.