Variation in transnationalism among Eastern European migrants in Italy: the role of duration of residence and integration

Abstract

Transnationalism of first-generation migrants, usually considered as a core element of their migratory projects, is nowadays taken somewhat for granted. Our aim in this paper is to examine empirically the relations of transnationalism with duration of residence and integration of Eastern European migrants in Italy, a country which evolved into a mass immigration one since the 1980s. Data come from the Integrometro survey 2008-2009, encompassing more than 4500 Eastern European migrants. We chose this group of migrants because East Europeans now constitute half of the foreign population in Italy and these nationalities have been overlooked by migration research on transnational topics. Our results show a positive relationship between migrants' economic integration and transnationalism, suggesting that economic resources facilitate the maintenance and development of cross-border ties. Being more integrated socio-culturally, however, is accompanied with weaker transnational practices. Moreover, the level of transnational behaviour decreases the more years Eastern European migrants spend in Italy, which cannot be fully attributed to a higher level of socio-cultural integration

Intentions on desired length of stay among immigrants in Italy

“…These back-and-forth movements of migrants, made possible by the globalisation of communication technologies, maintain the links between origin and host countries and generate dual loyalties, identities and attachments (Portes et al 1999;Carling and Pettersen 2014). Hence, from this perspective, ties with the country of origin are no longer thought of as a barrier to the process of integration (Cela et al 2013;Carling and Pettersen 2014). Consequently, the relationship between integration/attachment to the country of residence, transnational practices/attachment to the country of origin and return migration or migration intention is neither linear nor predictable (e.g.…”

Conceptualizing Transnational Engagements: A Structure and Agency Perspective on (Hometown) Transnationalism

“…Much recent work dismisses the latter part of this assertion. Transnationalism, in any domain of social life, is not weakened by integration (Itzigsohn and Saucedo, ; Portes, Guarnizo, and Haller, ; Guarnizo, Portes, and Haller, ; Snel, Engbersen, and Leerkes, ; Mazzucato, ; Schans, ; Cela, Fokkema, and Ambrosetti, ). The same appears true for hometown transnationalism (Lacroix, ).…”

The International Handbook of the Demography of Race and Ethnicity

“…Among South European countries Italy represents the most interesting case for trends, timing and dimension of immigration fl ows (Cela et al 2013 ;King 1999 ). In the aftermath of the oil crises of 1973, northern European countries, the main destinations of international immigration in Europe during the fi rst post-War II decades, adopted restrictive immigration policies.…”