Unveiling the Invisible: Capabilities and Well-being of Undocumented Syrian Migrants in Istanbul

Abstract: The number of irregular migrants increased in Turkey, especially after the EU-Turkey Joint Action Plan of 2016. This study examines the situation of undocumented Syrian migrants in terms of their capabilities and approaches to the well-being of this particular group from the normative framework of the capability approach with a specific focus on material conditions. Building on the Capability Approach, this study concerns individual perspectives on their journey, freedoms, deprivations, and realization of capabilities and well-being. This study uses qualitative methodology applied in this study by gathering narratives through seven semi-structured in-depth interviews with undocumented Syrian migrants in Istanbul. The collected data is analyzed through Narrative Thematic Analysis. The analysis is centered on the theoretical concepts and themes that emerge from the stories. This study revealed that living without documents highly impaired the well-being of the migrants living in Istanbul based on their material living conditions. However, being undocumented provided such material conditions that they could meet their basic needs, which they see as the first step toward their well-being. Feeling at home and safe and being around people like them played a vital role in improving one's well-being. By stating that insufficient income is one of the primary causes of undocumented migrants' capability deprivation, the study concludes that migrating to Europe to improve their material conditions, followed by having more agency and expansion of capabilities, and sustainably having better life conditions has been considered a way of improving well-being.