African Immigrants in Finland in Onward Translocal and Transnational Mobility and Migration, and the Political Implications

Abstract

This article examines the onward translocal and transnational mobility and migration of African immigrants in Finland, and finds that this is because of racism, and hence more of a search for belonging than just for greener pastures. In the process of this mobility/migration, they represent translocal and transnational identities that crisscross translocal and transterritorial spaces, experiencing transcultural practices. Along the way, they acquire transcultural, multicultural, and cosmopolitan skills with which they negotiate their identities and belonging in the places they visit or reside. This article argues that these multifaceted forms of mobility and migration say something about new dynamics in today's migration, and its political implications, and hence could be a veritable empirical contribution to mobility and migration research and studies today.

Moving on? Gender, education, and citizenship as key factors among short‐term onward migration planners

“…This is not surprising, because asylum seekers are particularly characterised by factors related to onward mobility. Among these factors, there are norms that limit their access to a preferred country of settlement, persistent political instability in the country of origin, strong transnational social networks, poor job market integration, and sometimes troubled relationships with host societies or the rise of anti‐immigrant political discourse in the first country of asylum (Bang Nielsen, ; Haandrikman & Hassanen, ; Moret, Baglioni, & Efionayi‐Mäder, ; Ndukwe, ; van Liempt, ).…”

“…Onward migration has been studied in Nordic and central European countries such as Sweden, Netherland, Finland, Denmark, France, and Germany (van Liempt, ; Rezaei & Goli, ; Ahrens et al, ; Toma & Castagnone, ; Ndukwe, ), as well as in southern European countries such as Italy, Spain, and Portugal (Della Puppa, ; Larramona, ; Mas Giralt, ; McGarrigle & Ascensão, ; McIlwaine, ). This recent wave of European studies provides multiple insights into the very complex and overlapping set of factors that trigger onward migration in the European area and into the multifaceted nature of migration decision making.…”

The socio-cultural integration of immigrants in Germany: changes across generations

“…Both indicators can be viewed as indicators of inclusion. These individuals must adhere to their host society’s social norms and cultural values (Hanifi, 2013; Ndukwe, 2017). Therefore, many European nations have recognised the significance of volunteerism, participation in political parties and membership in local community organisations as integration tools for migrants and have sought to promote these activities (Hanifi, 2013; Baert and Vujic, 2016; Ndukwe, 2017; Four elements, 2019).…”

The Socio-Cultural Integration of Immigrants in Germany: Changes across Generations

“…These individuals must adhere to their host society's social norms and cultural values (Hanifi, 2013;Ndukwe, 2017). Therefore, many European nations have recognised the significance of volunteerism, participation in political parties, and membership in local community organisations as integration tools for migrants and have sought to promote these activities (Hanifi, 2013;Baert and Vujic, 2016;Ndukwe, 2017;Four elements, 2019).…”