The boundaries of transnationalism: the case of assisted voluntary return migrants

Abstract

Few studies on transnationalism have focused on migrants who return to their country of origin with insufficient resources and limited mobility. This study sheds light on the transnational connections of those who went back to Georgia and Armenia from Belgium on a voluntary assisted return and reintegration programme. Using Boccagni’s (2012) analytical framework, we reveal the returnees’ interpersonal, institutional and symbolic transnational ties. Although these ties were often limited and had little effect on their daily lives, and although the migrants’ desire to participate in the transnational field rarely matched their ability to do so, they nonetheless attached great value to them symbolically and emotionally. Our findings question current conceptualizations of transnationalism and the focus on the home country as the sole context in which transnational ties should have an impact. We believe that there is a need to pay greater attention to the subjective and symbolic dimensions of the return–transnationalism field, including the relationship between integration and return migration policies

Transnationalism: current debates and new perspectives

“…Supporting social and personal connections, making investments in the infrastructure of the former home location, or sending remittances home gives returnees visibility back in the former home country and among related communities, creates high social status, and assists in future reintegration. Lietaert et al (2017) specified that remittances may act as a strategic investment, aimed at improving living conditions in a place where a migrant plans to settle in the future. It is common for migrants who aspire to return to use remittances to build a house or purchase another property in their former country of origin; for instance, in Dakar, Senegal, 'the majority of building projects are initiated and sustained by transnational migrants who send money to families, business partners, and contractors in the city' (Melly 2010: 39).…”

When the phone stops ringing: on the meanings and causes of disruptions in communication between Eritrean refugees and their families back home

“…Remittances, visits home, transnational political and cultural activities, as well as everyday communication between distant family members are all highly stratified because they depend on the availability of ICT infrastructures and resources and on the class, gender and legal status of the migrants in question (Boccagni 2012;Carling et al 2012;Lietaert et al 2017;Wilding 2006). Parreñas (2005), for example, showed that the capacities of middle-class Filipinas and those employed in domestic service to keep in touch with their loved ones differ.…”

Talking across Borders: Successful Re‐entry in Different Strands of Re‐entry Literature

“…Adjustment is linked to several outcomes that are of relevance for organizations, while it is also valued on its own. In addition, repatriates' self-concept or more specifically their cultural or international identity and sense of belonging is increasingly recognized as being an important factor associated with their adjustment (Lietaert, 2017;Chiang et al, 2018) Accordingly, literature on repatriates takes into account that international mobility can result in profound personal transformations, which might consequently influence psychological comfort on re-entry.…”

“…Lastly, some authors have also pointed out that people's wish or desire to re‐migrate, which in relation to the narrow conceptualization of sustainable return is often used as an indicator of unsuccessful re‐entry has a weak correlation to actual remigration (Koser and Kuschminder, ). Furthermore, the idea of returning to the former host country can merely illustrate a longing to stay connected to this country rather than a wish to return and resettle there (Lietaert et al., ).…”