This master thesis aims to analyze the concept of autonomy of migration, or AoM, and the production of the narrative of the different stages of migration from emergence to integration, as well as the power relations between the state and refugees. The research aims to define the AoM by various authors by developing a theoretical framework using the literature on the concept of AoM, autoethnographic research, interviews, and discussions with five different refugees as a guiding tool to research and move between different stages of the experience of migration. Based on my personal experience, I see refugees and migrants as experts, and their participation in constructing the narrative on migration from emergence to integration is what completes the story.

As a result, this thesis incorporates personal experience as a tool of reflection and criticism of the concept of AoM, emphasizing the agency and resistance of migrants and refugees in their daily experiences of mobility and work and highlighting their role as active agents in navigating power dynamics such as exploitation, discrimination, and marginalisation. It also speaks to the complex nature of migration, and the social, economic, and cultural considerations that shape the daily lives of migrants. The use of autoethnographic research and personal narratives provides a nuanced understanding of migration's autonomy, thereby challenging dominant discourses that often portray migrants as problems or threats. This approach aligns with AoM, emphasizing migrants' agency, resilience, and creativity and providing a deeper understanding of the migratory experience.