Trapped in the Process: How Bureaucratic Opacity Affects Applicants in Denmark's Family Reunification System

Abstract

This thesis examines how bureaucratic opacity in Denmark's family reunification process affects applicants by focusing on applicants experiencing delays and complex administrative procedures. Family reunification stands as a fundamental human right, yet system opacity generates substantial obstacles which cause applicants to experience psychological issues, reduced social integration and diminished trust in government institutions. The research investigates the relationship between bureaucratic opacity in family reunification procedures and the experiences of applicants. Through qualitative research methods the study includes semi-structured interviews with applicants as well as immigration lawyers, legal counsellors from the Danish Refugee Council and a representative from the Danish Immigration Service. The analytical framework builds upon three theoretical approaches which include liminality theory alongside bureaucratic violence and procedural justice to provide comprehensive insights into applicants' experiences and institutional factors. Bureaucratic opacity generates severe psychological impact on applicants according to key research findings. The combination of extended uncertainty with insufficient communication along with complex procedural requirements creates intense anxiety which extends applicants' liminal state. The uncertain waiting period hinders effective social integration since applicants delay making important decisions about employment, housing and family planning. The research evidence shows that bureaucratic violence operates as an active cause of emotional damage instead of resulting from unintentional system issues. The study demonstrates that family reunification procedures contain significant procedural injustices which affect the process. The absence of transparent information and clear explanations affects migrant applicants unfairly because it strengthens the power differences between migrants and state authorities. Immigration lawyers together with NGO representatives who support applicants recognize these institutional weaknesses while stressing the immediate necessity for procedural changes. The research proposes several possible remedies to reduce bureaucratic opacity's negative effects through enhanced administrative transparency and enhanced communication methods. This work reflects on the potential implementation of blockchain technology to develop protected, transparent and easily accessible tracking systems for cases. Blockchain technology faces multiple technical obstacles alongside practical hurdles and ethical considerations, yet it demonstrates substantial potential to fix the transparency problems in current systems. This thesis advances discussions about bureaucratic opacity alongside procedural justice and institutional responsibility in migration governance by demonstrating the human expenses within administrative procedures and presents practical approaches to future research and policy improvement. Keywords: Family reunification, liminality, bureaucratic violence, procedural justice, transparency, bureaucratic opacity, migration governance, Denmark, administrative practices.

Colophon: This page is part of the AAU Student Projects portal, which is run by Aalborg University. Here, you can find and download publicly available bachelor's theses and master's projects from across the university dating from 2008 onwards. Student projects from before 2008 are available in printed form at Aalborg University Library.

If you have any questions about AAU Student Projects or the research registration, dissemination and analysis at Aalborg University, please feel free to contact the VBN team. You can also find more information in the AAU Student Projects FAQs.

A master thesis from Aalborg University

Trapped in the Process: How Bureaucratic Opacity Affects Applicants in Denmark's Family Reunification System