To stay or to return? Return migration intentions of Moroccans in Italy
| Date | 01 December 2017 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1111/imig.12375 |
| Published date | 01 December 2017 |
To stay or to return? Return migration
intentions of Moroccans in Italy
Angela Paparusso* and Elena Ambrosetti*
ABSTRACT
Using data from the Statistics on Income and living conditions of families with migrants car-
ried out by ISTAT in 2009, we empirically examine the effect of micro level determinants on
Moroccans’return migration intentions. Although Moroccans living in Italy do not have a
clear aspiration to return, the socio-economic and work conditions in Italy determine their
migration intentions. Furthermore, our research led us to argue that macro-level determinants
should also be considered. In particular, emigration, immigration and integration policies repre-
sent key elements in the analysis of the dilemma between to stay or to return. Therefore, the
promotion of long-term immigration policies, which allow the achievement of a permanent res-
idence in the host country, combined with institutional reforms, which make the origin country
socially, economically and politically more attractive for migrants are essential to complete the
debate about to stay or to return.
INTRODUCTION
Return migration is not a new strand of study. In the past, Cerase (1974) and Gmelch (1980),
among others, conceptualized this phenomenon, offering helpful categorizations of return migra-
tions and returnees. Such studies remain relevant due to the recent resurgence of interest of
researchers and policymakers alike. In particular, some scholars, such as Olesen (2002) and Ruhs
(2006) believe that return migration should be considered a “brain gain”for the migrants’sending
countries, because, along with monetary remittances, it contributes to the development of such
countries. On the other side, receiving countries may consider migrants as a temporary labour force,
developing immigration schemes more aligned to temporary stay rather than long term settlement
(Cassarino, 2004; Castles, 2006; Baiz
an and Gonz
alez-Ferrer, 2016; Boese and Macdonald, 2016).
Furthermore, recent empirical studies tested the phenomenon of return migrations, which has been
largely accelerated by the economic crisis in Europe (Domingo and Sabater, 2013). Nevertheless,
data suggest that return is not always an option among certain groups of immigrants. They often
decide to move to another European Union country, instead of returning to their country of origin,
especially when they have the citizenship of their current country of residence, which allows them
to travel within the Schengen area without constraints (Domingo and Sabater, 2013). Cassarino
(2004) conducted an exploration of the theoretical debate around return migration specifically on
whether the return should be interpreted as a success or failure of the entire experience of migra-
tion. He looked to an interpretation of return through the lens of the main theories of migration.
Despite the growing scientific and political interest in return migration, return is still considered a
marginal area of study. The lack of adequate data and the strong emphasis put on the migratory
* Sapienza University of Rome
doi: 10.1111/imig.12375
©2017 The Authors
International Migration ©2017 IOM
International Migration Vol. 55 (6) 2017
ISSN 0020-7985Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
process itself have contributed to such marginalization. Our study attempts to fill this gap by
exploring the main micro determinants of return migration intentions among first-generation Moroc-
cans living in Italy. Moroccans form the first non-European foreign group in Italy (437,485 individ-
uals in 2016, according to Istat). Moroccans’migration experience in Italy dates back further than
that of most immigrant groups. The first arrivals of Moroccans in Italy started in the mid-1970s,
which coincided with the transition of Italy from emigration into immigration country. The oil cri-
sis in 1973 led to a change in the measures of border control in historical immigration countries.
This, combined with the segmentation of the Italian labour market on the top of ill-defined immi-
gration laws served as pull factors for Moroccans into Italy. However, Moroccan migration flows
to Italy remained modest until the 1990s and between 2003 and 2004 they were surpassed by the
Albanians and the Romanians (Idos, 2013; Ministero del Lavoro e delle Politiche Sociali, 2016).
Nonetheless, the general trend of Moroccan stocks in Italy has linearly increased over the last two
decades. As a result of their ancient migration history in Italy, Moroccans are one of the first immi-
grant groups to experience the aging of some of its first-generation members and the growing of
the second-generations, which are typical features of a well-stabilized and integrated population of
immigrants in the host country (Cesareo and Blangiardo, 2009), albeit with a male predominance
(around 60% of the total population are men). The distinct structure of such immigration is first
triggered by gender and age-specific labour conditions and then supported by family reunion poli-
cies. Nevertheless, despite their established presence, Moroccans in Italy remain marginalized due
to negative perceptions of their geographic and ethnic origin, especially after the events of 9/11
(Zincone, 2011; Koopmans, 2016). Moreover, the international economic crisis that has particularly
hit Italy since 2008 may have worsened the working conditions and opportunities for such migrants
especially for those employed in the construction and retail sectors (Castles et al., 2014). Consider-
ing the above, the study of Moroccans in Italy is particularly relevant, also taking into account that
previous studies on the same topic have addressed the whole immigrant population residing in Italy
(e.g. Barbiano di Belgiojoso, 2016; Barbiano di Belgiojoso and Ortensi, 2013).
The aim of our research is to examine the relationship between return intentions and individual
micro level determinants. Therefore, this study focuses on return migration intentions, not on actual
migration behaviours. Despite the discrepancies that may occur between intentions and actual beha-
viours, we believe that considering the lack of reliable datasets on actual behaviours it is worth-
while to study return migration intentions (de Haas et al., 2015). During the lifetime migrants may
change their future plans: if the decision to leave their home country may appear at the beginning
of the migratory process as permanent, over time migrants may express the intention to come back
home or to emigrate to another country. In such a context, it is relevant to analyse migrants’future
intentions since they may represent a good predictor and may influence actual behaviour on the
return (Barbiano di Belgiojoso, 2016). In this respect, we believe that the knowledge of migrants’
plans and desires concerning return can facilitate researchers to better understand the migration
experience, specifically its triggers and effects. At the same time, migration return intentions can
inspire receiving countries in implementing new migration schemes and appropriate integration
policies and facilitate sending countries in introducing institutional reforms in order to make return
a source of economic growth and social development (de Haas, 2012). As highlighted by
S
ßeny€
urekli and Menj
ıvar (2012) in their recent work on Turks’return intentions, in a period of
socio-economic instability in receiving countries special attention should be given to immigrants’
intentions to return to their home countries. This consideration may be extended to origin countries.
Migrants’return intentions should be taken into account by national governments and politicians in
order to implement long-term strategies aimed at preparing migrants’reintegration at home and fos-
tering their monetary and non-monetary investments.
The article proceeds as follows: section 2 and 3 present the theoretical background and previous
research findings, in section 4 research methods and data are presented, section 5 addresses main
research findings and section 6 highlights the main conclusions.
138 Paparusso and Ambrosetti
©2017 The Authors. International Migration ©2017 IOM
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