Go Home? ― The Politics of Immigration Controversies

In July 2013, the UK government arranged for a van to drive through parts of London carrying the message 'In the UK illegally? GO HOME or face arrest.' This book tells the story of what happened next.

The vans were short-lived, but they were part of an ongoing trend in government-sponsored communication designed to demonstrate toughness on immigration. The authors set out to explore the effects of such performances: on policy, on public debate, on pro-migrant and anti-racist activism, and on the everyday lives of people in Britain. This book presents their findings, and provides insights into the practice of conducting research on such a charged and sensitive topic.

Written in a clear and engaging style, and bringing together eight respected social researchers, alongside the voices of community organisations, policy makers, migrants and citizens, this is an important intervention in one of the most heated social issues in recent decades.

Hannah Jones is Assistant Professor in Sociology at the University of Warwick
Yasmin Gunaratnam is Reader in Sociology at Goldsmiths, University of London
Gargi Bhattacharyya is Professor of Sociology at the University of East London and co-director of the Centre for Migration, Refugees and Belonging
William Davies is Senior Lecturer in Politics at Goldsmiths, University of London
Sukhwant Dhaliwal is Research Fellow at the Institute of Applied Social Research at the University of Bedfordshire

Kirsten Forkert is Senior Lecturer in the School of Media at Birmingham City University
Emma Jackson is Lecturer in Sociology at Goldsmiths, University of London

Roiyah Saltus is Principal Research Fellow in the Faculty of Life Sciences and Education at the University of South Wales