Acknowledgements

My heartfelt thanks to poet Alberto Ríos for permitting me to use his poetry liberally in this book, and to artist Nicola Slattery for allowing me to use her beautiful artwork on the cover of this book. They both are inspirations in how they use their work creatively to bring migration into focus. Reaching beyond the citations and references to specific authors, I acknowledge the scholarly debates and commentary in the vast field of migration studies which has informed my work. Many scholars in this field are inspired by social justice; their work enables my own. Practising lawyers inform my understanding of this field through their casework, commentaries and interventions for their clients.

I gratefully acknowledge the research leave time given to me by the University of Bristol, UK, so that ideas thought of, and taught, over the past decade could finally gel and connect on paper. My colleagues have helped support with suggestions for improvement and thoughtful feedback as well as nourishing conversation and exchange of ideas. Professor Carl Stychin, the series editor, and the University of London publishing team (especially Sandy Dutczak, Emma Gallon, Ciara Aaron, Julie Willis, Katharine Nelson and Joseph Runnacles) have been encouraging and gentle with deadlines and comments. Avery Anapol has been my dream engaged reader who has provided critical comments to drafts and made me think about how I write as well as what I write.

When my mum passed away during the writing, nothing seemed worthwhile anymore. My family has been with me in those dark times and grieved with me. My dog Jazz has been there beside me, listening to me think aloud through my arguments, wagging encouragingly at times and simply falling asleep at others. Many late nights or early mornings he has given me deeply disapproving looks for working at ungodly hours but then ungrudgingly done those same hours with me. This is a co-production, Jazz, though I know you prefer treats!