Ambivalent Mobilities and Survival Strategies of Moroccan and Bangladeshi Families in Italy in Times of Crisis

Abstract

This article investigates the link between the economic crisis and migrant family reunification with a focus on mobility strategies of reunited families. Drawing on in-depth interviews with Moroccan and Bangladeshi families, carried out in the Metropolitan City of Venice, between 2012 and 2016, the article aims to show the complex process of further separation that reunified families endure in order to deal with the consequences of the crisis. Family unity does not represent a definitive and lasting achievement. Rather, it is a status that must be constantly protected in order to fulfil the requirements imposed by reunification policies. Migrant families must undertake various forms of mobility to maintain their housing, occupational and economic standards and sometimes may move to other countries to preserve their unity. In response to the crisis, migrants appropriate the instruments of citizenship in order to increase their mobility capital and the opportunity to stay in Europe.

Post‐2008 Multi‐Sited Household Practices: Between Morocco, Spain and Norway

“…Recent onward migration from Southern Europe towards other countries within the EU/EEA could be described as “reactive and previously unplanned” (Mas Giralt, : 4); a strategy among many others that migrants use to cope with the effects of the global economic crisis (Herrera, ; Lafleur and Stanek, ; Della Puppa, ; Ortensi and Barbiano di Belgiojoso, ; Pereira Esteves et al., ; Ramos, ), taking advantage of their evolving migration networks and the mobility rights they have acquired with EU citizenship (Mas Giralt, : 8). Onward migration after naturalization has led researchers to question the links between citizenship and settlement and explore the changing meaning of citizenship (Danaj and Çaro, ; Della Puppa and Sredanovic, ; Ramos, ; Ortensi and Barbiano di Belgiojoso, ).…”

“…Consistent with the NELM framework, households combined mobility and immobility strategies to cope with the economic recession in Spain. They often tried other alternatives in Spain before thinking about re‐migrating – migrating internally, increasing short distance mobilities in Spain, reorganizing housing arrangements or combining formal and informal sources of income (Herrera, ; Della Puppa, ; Pereira Esteves et al., ). Hassan, for example, persevered in his aspiration to stay in Malaga combining welfare benefits with undeclared odd jobs in painting or removals for Northern European retirees settled there.…”

“…An example of ambivalence in migration practices is when, for instance, the decision to migrate is aimed at guaranteeing the household unity in Europe but in order to accomplish it, some members end up migrating onwards (Della Puppa, ). Ambivalences and contradictions are also observed when migrants officially live in one place whereas they are actually in another.…”

“…The article focuses instead on migrants’ individual and collective priorities and their perceptions of structural and contextual differences between countries in terms of employment, income, welfare regimes and quality of life. Third, several studies highlight the importance of family dynamics and gendered roles and opportunities in onward migration (Herrera, ; Toma and Castagnone, ; Della Puppa, ; Moret, ; Ortensi and Barbiano di Belgiojoso, ; Ramos et al., ). This article contributes to this literature suggesting a theoretical framework to study gendered multi‐sited household practices.…”

Global Migration, Local Communities and the Absent State: Resentment and Resignation on the Italian Island of Lampedusa

“…While drawing on these discussions, recent research studies have already focused on migrants’ agency and motivation to leave their countries and the implications of European border policy on their journeys and experiences of settlement (e.g. Della Puppa, 2018; McMahon and Sigona, 2018). Less attention has been given to how local communities affected by migration respond and articulate their perspectives.…”