Return and transnationalism

This chapter provides a systematic analysis of the linkages between return and transnationalism. First, I define different types of return, including return mobilities, imaginary return and return migration. Second, I lay out the different elements of transnationalism by focusing on the behavioural and emotional dimensions. Next, bringing these two together, I discuss how different types of return can be considered as an element, a determinant and a consequence of transnational (social, economic and political) engagements and belonging. Accordingly, I propose two conceptual models relating to return migration and reintegration processes. In so doing, I discuss the existing literature but also propose new lines of research that can help to further examine how return and transnationalism are related

Los refugiados y las comunidades de acogida en el mercado laboral de Ruanda

En Ruanda, los refugiados congoleses tienen la misma libertad de circulación y el mismo derecho al trabajo que los ciudadanos ruandeses, pero las experiencias y las actividades económicas de estas dos poblaciones son muy diferentes

Migration trajectories and transnational support within and beyond Europe

The special issue: Migration Trajectories and Transnational Support Within and Beyond Europe brings together a set of papers with fresh empirical analysis from diverse settings documenting the experiences of migrants residing within and beyond the boundaries of Europe. This introductory article has the objective of laying the groundwork for a better understanding of how migration trajectories are shaped and continued in the contexts of transnational (social) networks and migration control. Firstly, we argue that migration journeys are not necessarily linear and unidirectional movements from origin to destination countries, nor are they clearly demarcated events in time and space. On the contrary, we highlight the dynamic and changing nature of migration trajectories. Secondly, we examine different types of relevant actors who provide support for migrants during their journeys. We focus on transnational social networks and transnationally operating institutions and human smugglers, which influence and facilitate or disrupt migration trajectories. Subsequently, based on the premise that migrants’ social networks, expectations, motivations and needs change throughout the migration process, we discuss the ways in which transnational support in a context of migration control relates to the lives of migrants on the move

Remittance-Sending Behaviour Along Migration Trajectories: The Case of Senegalese, Ghanaian and Congolese Migrants

In this chapter, we examine the remittance-sending behaviour of Ghanaian, Congolese and Senegalese migrants along their migration trajectories to Europe. We aim to understand the extent to which and why sending remittances might differ when the migrants consider themselves to be either en route or settled. We hypothesise that migrants on the move experience legal and economic precariousness and have a lesser capacity and, hence, probability to remit. Moreover, we argue that migrants with close family members and assets in the origin country have higher incentives to remit but are less likely to do so if they are on the move. Overall, we do not find support for the argument that being on the move decreases the probability of sending remittances. Surprisingly, we illustrate that migrants on the move are more likely to be employed and to send remittances compared to settled migrants. We argue that the former may consider their situation to be insecure – despite being employed – and want to keep in closer contact with their country of origin. The chapter highlights the importance of including a(n) (im)mobility perspective when studying remittance-sending and the need for a fuller understanding of how frictions and experiences along more complex migration trajectories affect remittance-sending behaviour

New Perspectives on Migrant Transnationalism in the Pandemic Era

Within the debates on the role of time and change in migrant transnationalism research, the Covid-19 pandemic provides an extremely enriching perspective and fresh discussions on our understandings of transnationalism in international migration. Assuming a before–during–after perspective, in this chapter, our aim is to present, discuss and assess changes that may materialize in different dimensions of migrant transnationalism because of the pandemic. Our objective is to provide potential answers to, and reflections on, two questions: How did the Covid-19 pandemic change and transform the economic and social transnational engagements of migrants? And how are the transnational identifications of migrants affected by Covid-19 induced discrimination and stigmatization? This chapter highlights that the pandemic affected not only the everyday lives of migrants themselves, but also the social and economic connections they have with their families and friends in different contexts. The maintenance and, at times, even the intensification of these relationships highlight that, in times of crises, migrants and their social networks need and rely on each other even more so for their individual and collective resilience

Turkeys Multifarious Attitude towards Migration and its Migrants

The MPC is co-financed by the European University Institute and the European Union.Turkey is not only a country of emigration, but also of immigration and return migration. It is a country, too, with a significant part of its population living abroad. In this paper, I take into account these various international migration patterns to provide an in-depth historical analysis of the Turkish State’s attitude towards migration and its immigrants, citizens residing abroad or returning to the country. The analysis is based on a detailed literature review, a summary of the most recent policies introduced regarding migration and in-depth interviews conducted with policy makers, government officials and academics. The analysis shows that Turkey’s socio-economic development, its economic and political expectations from migration, and contextual factors have significantly influenced its changing attitude towards migration. In conclusion, the paper draws attention to the importance of considering these factors and different migration patterns together for a more comprehensive understanding of a country’s perspective on international migration