Migration Experience Research Articles

Writing travel and the genealogical imagination: Afghan Kyrgyz migrations in contemporary perspective

ABSTRACT The current ‘repatriation’ programme initiated by the Kyrgyz Republic presents a timely occasion to reflect on the ambivalence of predicating migration in ethnic terms through descent and territorial ascription. Instead, this paper looks at the way Afghan Kyrgyz migrants mobilize and modulate genealogical and territorial registers and the later fulfilment or frustration of their aspirations. A focus on the current ‘repatriation’ programme is doubly interesting here because it taps into broader questions of citizenship, autochthony, and the securing of durable rights and duties and secondly, because the programme’s realization casts ambivalence to the pre-eminence of ethnic ascription in both the experience of migration and migration research. It argues that migrants’ relative success in moving back and forth between places of ‘departure’ and ‘arrival’ (in the programme’s own terms) complexifies the expected linearity of their ‘repatriation’ and implied definitive resettlement.

‘No in English I don’t do that’: exploring Gambian migrants’ linguistic cooperation in Italy

Abstract This study explores the experience of linguistic cooperation of migrants, focussing on their varying degrees of reliance on others for communication. It adopts an approach that draws theoretically on innovations in the understanding of competence beyond the cognitive-structuralist paradigm and more broadly on the importance of cooperation in the social sphere. Based on the lived experience of Gambian migrants in a shelter as it emerges interactionally between the researcher and three participants, the data show that asking for help can be problematic, and reliance on others changes over time and depending on the tasks and languages involved. Furthermore, when migrants lean on others it is not necessarily long-standing social networks that complement one’s competence but also fleeting encounters, and online tools for individual language learning can be useful when cooperation is not there. Competence beyond individual skills needs to be further researched, so that gradation in cooperation, the use of material affordances and different stances towards reliance on others, as well as where they stem from, are more fully accounted for.

After Returning to the Rural: The (Un)Sustainable Reintegration of Internal Migrant Workers in China

ABSTRACTThe return of internal migrant workers to rural regions following prolonged periods of employment in cities is an increasingly prominent phenomenon in China. Researchers have examined return migration patterns, but investigating the intricacies of the reintegration process demands more highly sophisticated measurement approaches and warrants deeper empirical investigation. In this study, a comprehensive evaluation framework is designed for assessing reintegration outcomes on three interconnected dimensions: economic re‐engagement, social‐rebonding, and psychological re‐affiliation. By applying this framework to the analysis of data from the 2014 China Labour Force Dynamic Survey, we find that approximately half of returnees meet the defined thresholds for successful reintegration into rural society. There are considerable difficulties associated with economic reintegration, which underscores the need to provide enhanced economic support mechanisms for returning internal migrants. The main socio‐geographical factors contributing to successful reintegration include being in the middle‐to‐late stages of the working age, male gender, living with a spouse, returning with family, having interprovincial migration experience, and extended duration of return. This study enhances the comprehension of the challenges faced by returning migrant workers and provides analytical instruments and perspectives that can be used to deepen the understanding of internal migration issues in China and beyond.

Leave or Stay? Exploring High School Graduates’ Mobility: The Significance of the Labour Market Conditions and Family Migration Experiences

Many factors determine the propensity of young individuals to migrate, with the local labour market standing out as a crucial determinant due to far-reaching impact on the broader community. Equally significant are the migration experiences within families. The article seeks to assess the influence of family migration experiences on the decisions of high school graduates concerning their future place of residence within the framework of the local labour market situation. The study employed a comparative approach, examining samples of high school graduates residing in districts of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship characterized by varying unemployment rates. A diagnostic survey, complemented by statistical methods was employed for the research. Our findings reveal a substantial impact of family migration experiences on the intentions of young individuals regarding their future residence. Notably, a higher proportion of emigrants within the families of surveyed high school graduates correlates with an increased likelihood of expressing intentions to migrate externally. The interaction with the local labour market context reveals compelling insights. The research indicates that the influence of family migration networks is more pronounced among young people in areas with low unemployment rates compared to those in districts facing a more complex labour market situation. These results suggest that in the decision-making process concerning youth migration, social factors, particularly those manifesting in family migration networks, play a pivotal role alongside, if not surpassing, economic considerations, such as the local labour market conditions.

Child fostering and maternal migration in sub-Saharan Africa

Rising feminization of migration has resulted in substantial flows of women migrating in Africa, increasing the importance of migration in women’s lives. Although child fostering is an enduring feature of family life throughout Africa, few studies have examined the role that maternal migration may play in these arrangements. I use Demographic and Health Survey data from 24 African countries to explore associations between maternal migration experience and fostering out of children aged 0–17, focusing on maternal migrant status, migrant stream, motivation, and timing of migration relative to births of children, to explore potential disruption introduced by migration. Results suggest that maternal migration disrupts mother–child co-residence, with greater fostering among children of migrant mothers, particularly rural–urban migrants. Children born before migration display the highest probability of fostering, consistently across migrant streams. These results suggest a need for greater attention to the impacts of maternal migration for children’s living arrangements, particularly as migration flows become increasingly feminized.

Migration, Borders and Precarity in Massa Lemu’s Selected Conceptual Art Projects

ABSTRACT This paper focuses on how Massa Lemu, a Malawian artist living and working in the United States of America, reflects on and interrogates migrant experiences through three of his conceptual art projects namely Passages for the Undocumented (2010–2012), Stamp Collector: Coyotes (2016) and Precariot (2013–2016). Using the critical discourse analysis approach and drawing on studies on migrant arts in general and conceptual art in particular as well as literature on immigrant subjectivities, the paper holds that through these projects Lemu questions (America’s) dominant perceptions of immigrants through critical reflection on dilemmas and experiences of immigrants from the moment of leaving their countries of origin through border crossing to settling down in their host destinations in America. The paper further holds that through these projects, Lemu also interrogates the idea of the border and its power to construct and reinforce migrant identities.

Does migrant working experience stimulate returnees’ entrepreneurship: Evidence from rural China

Does migrant working experience stimulate returnees’ entrepreneurship: Evidence from rural China

Migrant returnees as (anti‐)migration messengers? A case of street‐level representative bureaucracy in Senegal

AbstractInternational organizations and foreign‐funded NGOs run campaigns in Senegal to raise awareness of the perils of irregular migration. To increase their effectiveness, these organizations often enlist local migrant returnees to share their personal migration experiences and transmit an anti‐irregular migration message to their compatriots. This article examines whether policymakers' assumptions regarding the representativeness of migrant returnees operating as (anti‐)migration messengers in terms of shared identities corresponds to reality at the street level. It draws from theories of street‐level bureaucracy and representative bureaucracy and is based on 31 qualitative interviews with migrant returnees and experts. The study shows that migrant returnees engaged in migration information campaigns are not as representative of the local population as envisaged by policymakers, potentially impacting policy outcomes. They stand out from their compatriots in terms of skillsets and social status – partly because of the selection mechanism employed by organizations and partly because of the training and capacity‐building efforts directed at migrant returnees.

In Search of Better Options: An Ethnographic Inquiry of Migrants from Bharse, Gulmi, Nepal

This is an extended abstract of my doctoral research, which explored the experiences of migrants seeking better opportunities both within their community of origin and beyond. It examined how migrants sought better opportunities in their community of origin and established their social positionality in new cultural contexts while navigating opportunities, challenges, and future aspirations that have received little academic attention. The purpose was to uncover how migrants faced challenges and developed strategies for the future as they pursued better prospects across multiple locations. To understand this phenomenon, four research questions: a) how do migrants experience detachment while maintaining social networks with their community of origin? b) how do they establish their positionality in new communities? c) how do they perceive both opportunities and constraints? and d) how do they develop strategies for the future? were formulated. Drawing on relevant literature, I used structuration and social capital theories to interpret the stories of migrants from Bharse who have settled in Butwal, Kathmandu, Hong Kong, and London. I employed an ethnographic approach within the interpretative paradigm. The findings indicated that, whether in their community of origin or destination, migrants consistently seek better options for an improved life. My research results will be useful to researchers, policymakers, think tanks, students, and academics who are focused on migration issues.

Hidden care: a qualitative exploration of the roles and responsibilities of language brokers

ABSTRACT This qualitative study explored language brokers’ conceptualizations of their roles and responsibilities within the family in Sydney, Australia. Semi-structured interviews were carried out to obtain retrospective accounts of language brokering experiences from 14 self-identified language brokers, 10 females and four males aged between 19 to 49 years (Mean age = 31) who started brokering between ages 7 to 16 (M = 11). Participants were from varied ethnic and socio-cultural backgrounds (Turkish, Lebanese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Chinese and Greek/German). Thematic analysis identified three primary themes: “Hidden Carers: When Parent-Child Roles are Reversed”; “Lost Childhoods: Personal Sacrifice for the Good of the Family”; and “Protecting Parents: Language Brokers as Custodians of Information.” Findings revealed that language brokering constitutes a form of hidden caregiving that carries with it several ramifications for the individual and their family. These findings have important implications for future research and policymakers working towards developing culturally responsive interventions that improve the health and wellbeing of language brokers and the resettlement experiences of migrants and their families.

Navigating Global Migration: An Analysis of Exit West through Appadurai’s Five Scapes

The rapid surge in global migration today is deeply intertwined with shifts in the political and economic structures of the late twentieth century, characterized by the dominance of globalization and transnational capital. These shifts, while rooted in the historical legacies of colonialism, have assumed new dimensions as globalization reconfigures the movement of people, capital, and ideas. In Exit West, Mohsin Hamid connects the personal experiences of migration with larger global forces, using magical doors to metaphorically illustrate the fluidity and unpredictability of global migration patterns. This paper employs Arjun Appadurai's five "scapes," which are ethnoscapes, technoscapes, financescapes, mediascapes, and ideoscapes, to examine how Exit West reflects and critiques the dynamics of globalization, migration, and identity formation. Hamid highlights how technological advancements facilitate movement while simultaneously revealing the inequalities that persist under the guise of globalization. Through the journeys of Saeed and Nadia, the novel reveals the fragmented nature of global flows and their impact on personal and collective identities.

Head Above Water: The Inspiring Journey of The Swimmers (2022): A Survey on Audience Perception for the MigraMedia Project

This survey investigates how audiences perceive The Swimmers, a biographical drama about two sisters escaping war-torn Syria and their journey as refugees. The study focuses on people with migration backgrounds or experiences, with the goal of understanding how the film relates to their personal stories and how it affects public perception of migration. The participants were asked to fill a detailed questionnaire related to the film’s most memorable or frightening parts, particularly those that depicted the interplay of vulnerability and resilience. This emotional paradox is crucial to The Swimmers, highlighting the fragility and fortitude of the human spirit in the face of enormous adversity. It also investigates how the characters’ unique experiences and personal problems are depicted, focussing on universal themes such as hope, family, and survival. Participants were urged to think on the realism of these portrayals and the consequences of relocation, focussing on how these topics related to their own experiences or knowledge on migration. The film’s narrative offers a nuanced view of refugees, in contrast to the reductive and frequently one-sided portrayals found in the mainstream media, which can marginalise people by presenting them as numbers or political debating points. On the other side, it also highlights how The Swimmers reclaim agency for individuals affected by migration, giving a more empathic and humane perspective. The study also looks at how media portrayals, such as this film, might challenge common preconceptions, promote solidarity, and inspire optimism. By engaging audiences on a deeply personal level, The Swimmers crosses cultural differences, encourages understanding, and highlights the resilience and legacy of migrants worldwide.

Migration and memory: Intersections of black diasporic identities in African and Caribbean literature

Migration and memory are central themes in African and Caribbean literature, offering profound insights into the complexities of Black diasporic identities. This study explores how writers from these regions, such as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Derek Walcott, and Edwidge Danticat, portray the lived experiences of migration and its intricate interplay with memory. Migration, often accompanied by displacement and loss, serves as both a physical and emotional journey that shapes the diasporic identity. Memory acts as a bridge between past and present, enabling characters to navigate their sense of belonging while reconciling their histories and the realities of their new environments. Through an analysis of literary works, this paper examines how migration narratives capture the tensions between nostalgia for homeland and the struggle to assimilate into foreign spaces. Adichie’s works, for instance, delve into the challenges of cultural hybridity, while Walcott’s poetry reflects on the fractures of colonial legacies and the search for rootedness. Danticat’s storytelling, deeply infused with the Haitian diasporic experience, emphasizes the intergenerational trauma and resilience that characterize Black diasporic identities. Themes of displacement, nostalgia, and belonging are analyzed to reveal how memory serves as a repository of identity, a site of resistance, and a tool for healing. By situating these narratives within broader socio-historical contexts, the study highlights the universal yet unique struggles of diasporic communities. Ultimately, it argues that African and Caribbean literature not only preserves the cultural heritage of its peoples but also amplifies the voices of those navigating the intersections of migration, memory, and identity.

Navigating Precarious Citizenship in Schools: Newcomer Youth of Color at the Intersection of Race and Ability

Refugee and asylum-seeking youth of color from African and Middle Eastern countries contend with racist-ableist structures in host-nation schools, primarily through newcomer supports offered to them. Considering their unique migratory experiences, this comprehensive systematic literature review explored how youth of color from Africa and the Middle East are supported in host-nation schools already entrenched in systemic racism and ableism. This review advanced precarious citizenship as a framework to explain student experiences. The findings showed how segregation and exclusion, ableist determinations of civic fitness, and assimilationist imperatives introduced precarity and foreclosed educational opportunities. Implications for research and practice are discussed, emphasizing the importance of disrupting racism and ableism in supporting newcomer youth of color.

Ukrainian Refugees in Poland: Exploring Intersections of Migration-Facilitating Capitals in the “Residential Settlement Game”

This paper examines the development of a transnational habitus among Ukrainian refugees seeking residential settlement in Poland in 2022 and 2023. Drawing from interview material, it addresses the question: How did the volume, structure, and evolution of capital over time shape the migration process to Poland? The study delves into the understudied intersections between various forms of migration-facilitating capital. It suggests that residential settlement unfolded at varying speeds, encountered different challenges, and yielded diverse outcomes based on the types of capital possessed. Despite migration discourses often generalizing the migration experience, the lived experiences proved to be clearly differentiated.

Trends in the modification of family forms under the influence of migration: data from a survey of experts

This article presents the first results of conceptualizing of the “migrant families”, investigations of family forms and models of relations, as well as the relationship between migration and the transformation of the institution of family and marriage using the example of migrant families from Central Asia in Russia. The empirical basis is in-depth interviews with 24 researchers representing various social disciplines and specializing in the study of international migration and family issues, both in Russia and in the Central Asian countries. The concept of “migrant families” refers to umbrella ones, since it covers different forms of families and models of family relations (marital, parent- child, kinship) at different stages of the family migration trajectory. Some forms of migrant families are following: transnational, including distant families; second or parallel families; mixed families; fictitious marriages/families; reunited families; families created during migration in Russia. The impact of migration on migrants’ families from Central Asia in Russia cannot be viewed as linear and unidirectional. Rather, such families find themselves in a continuum of many options, including norms of behavior and social practices in family relations accepted both in sending communities and in Russia. The choice of specific models of family relations, as well as the influence level of migration on an individual family, is to a certain extent determined by the family form, as well as the duration of the migration experience.

Revisiting Exile: A Case of Waziristan

This paper aims to analyse Cheegha: The Call from Waziristan, The Last Outpost by Ghulam Qadir with reference to the continuous war in Waziristan. Waziristan has been at the centre of the conflict since the arrival of the Russian invasion and then after the incident of 9/11. The USA launched drone strikes after the 9/11 incident to seek out the terrorists who are thought to have found a safe haven in Pakistan. The constant bombardment of drones has destroyed the customs and traditional folkways. This cultural genocide generated feelings of homelessness and alienation in the people of Waziristan which made them exiled to their land. The notion of exile has already been discussed in relation to the experience of migration or expulsion from the homeland. However, this paper appropriates the concept of exile to include the category of those people who have become exilic from within. It seeks to analyse the effects of continuous war via the projection of displaced feelings of the people of Waziristan. By integrating the theoretical perspective on exile developed by Avatar Brah, Bill Ashcroft, William Safran, Paul Gilroy, and Edward Said, and cultural genocide as theorised by Raphael Lemkin, Elisa Novice, and Lawrence Davidson, I attempt to highlight that the exiled are not necessarily migrants from another country but rather it is possible to be exiled within the boundaries of their homeland due to the loss of culture, folkways, and traditions. Key Terms: exile, Waziristan, cultural genocide, homeland.

Explorando el papel de la espiritualidad en la experiencia migratoria: perspectivas de personas migrantes asentadas en España.

The experience of migration entails profound transformations, wherein the spiritual aspect of individuals assumes a critical role. This article presents a qualitative study based on in-depth interviews with five migrants who have successfully settled in Spain. The research aims to shed light on the role of spirituality, understood as the dimension of a person's identity linked to decision-making, throughout the migration process. The findings reveal that the spiritual experience during migration is dynamic and adaptable, shaped by the elevated and intense levels of stress migrants face upon arrival in their new country. Additionally, the factors of hope, vision, confidence, and perseverance, intertwined with the spiritual dimension, emerge as vital elements for individuals starting anew. Lastly, the study underscores the significance of considering all dimensions that impact an individual's life, ranging from basic physiological aspects to more profound and abstract aspects, for professionals working in the field.

<b>TRANSNACIONALISMO DE LAS MUJERES DEL ESTE DE EUROPA EN ITALIA</b>

This article focuses on the study of the narratives of migrant women coming from Eastern European countries who arrive in Italy in search of a job with the aim of helping economically their families in the country of origin. The majority of these women are employed in domestic work and with the specific role of badante, that is, as caregivers of elderly or sick people. In our reflection, through the story Ciliegie amare by Liliana Nechita, of Romanian origin, we seek to delve deeper into the concept of transnationalism related to migration, with the aim to analyse the consequences that such migration causes in the relational, behavioural, and identity spheres, both in the country of departure and in the country of arrival. In the story under study, the migratory experience induces the need to further explore those aspects that are relevant to redefine the identity of migrants, their adaptation to a new culture, and the management of the emotional facet.

Six Sides of Migration

This photo collection consists of six color prints showing a visual representation of six sides of the international migration experience. Want to stay. Want to leave. Want to return. Forced to stay. Forced to leave. Forced to return. The different experiences of immigrants inform their information-seeking behaviors and practices before, during, and after the process of migration. The work is based on digitally transformed self-portraits of migrants at the US–Mexico border, and informed by research on their experience, trajectories, fears, goals, and aspirations.