Living in Limbo: The Experiences of People Seeking Asylum in Australia

Over the past two decades, the Australian policy environment has become increasingly focused on deterring asylum seekers. For people who arrived by sea between August 13, 2012 and January 1, 2014 (legally considered the "legacy caseload"), policy measures include border excision, the removal of permanent protection and family reunion, and restrictions on economic and social rights. This research reports the results of 15 In-depth, semi-structured interviews, with legacy caseload asylum seekers to explore how policy instruments affected and governed their lives. This research found that the prolonged refugee determination process excludes people seeking asylum from meaningful support. This research contends people seeking asylum in Australia exist in a liminal space-in a state of exclusion enforced by the government.