When Arriving Is Not Enough—Constraints in Access to Education and Employment Opportunities for Migrant Youth

Due to an array of individual, institutional and structural factors, several constraints hinder the access migrant youth education, training employment in Catalonia. In this article, we explore conditions which young migrants education system Catalonia (Spain). Drawing on theory opportunity structures, highlight three that narrow their opportunities. Our approach runs away from individualistic explanations success or failure. The research draws 5 focus groups 10 in-depth interviews with who were participating a scheme 2019 2020. results point out types conditioning factors constrain opportunities sometimes become unsurmountable barriers. Firstly, status narrows for employment. Secondly, current administrative procedures eventually disrupt ways certain newcomers follow mainstream pathways. Finally, circumstances have inflicted socio-emotional wounds newcomers, not only because they left country suffered socio-economic deprivation, but also been compelled suddenly adjust expectations.