WHEN DOES A MIGRANT STOP BEING A MIGRANT? (INSTITUTIONAL LOGICS IN BORDER WORK)

The main research question is when and under what conditions a migrant ceases to be a migrant. The most popular theoretical framework for this type of research is integration, which considers the main directions of integration and indicators of integration. This article examines the other side of the bilateral integration process and is dedicated to the study of the perception of migrants by the host society. The main theoretical framework is the concept of borders and border work carried out in relation to migrants. The research focuses on street- level bureaucrats whose professional activities are related to migrants. They draw a border between 'migrants' and 'locals' in their daily routine. The analysis of the informants' rhetoric allowed the author to discern two institutional logics in the production of such borders, i. e. neoliberal and cultural. Here, institutional logics are understood as 'a system of fundamental beliefs that guide and predetermine the behaviour of agents.' Within the framework of cultural logics, a cultural border is created between migrants and locals. This border is ethnic and religious, and it is impossible to overcome. Within the neoliberal logic, the emphasis is on the social border, which can be overcome by abandoning the transnational lifestyle, working hard and efficiently, and by occupying a high position in the social hierarchy. These two logics do not compete with each other but reinforce each other.