Maurizio Ambrosini, University of Milan, editor of the journal “Mondi migranti” Who are immigrants? Problems of framing, definition, distinction

Definition An immigrant is a person who moved to a foreign country, and who have been there for more than one year (UN) Three elements:  Moving  Crossing a national border  For a prolonged period of time (1 year or more) Problems:  Internal migrants  Seasonal immigrant workers  Second generations Immigration policies have increased in their importance in the political agenda, in Europe and elsewhere The general trend is towards more closure: voters seem to demand more restrictions on further admissions of migrants, rights, and tolerance towards diversity New political parties have gained ground, with big success in several countries, emphasizing opposition to immigrants and cultural diversity

The double Otherness of migrants We do not define a person coming from US, Switzerland or Japan “immigrant”, even though he/she is included in the definition quoted above We do not name a businessperson, or a football champion “immigrant”, even though he/she comes from a country of the Global South Immigrants are people framed as “poor” and “strangers”

A dynamic vision Italian, Spanish, Greek migrants in Northern Europe have improved their legal status and social representation over time Citizens of EU new member countries are doing the same The economic development has similar effects in legal treatment and social acceptance

Superdiversity? The difficulty in the acceptance of people perceived as “the Others” is linked with the perception of a deep break of the social order and of the homogeneity of the Nation we are obliged to live with people who are different because of their language, citizenship, religion, cultural habits… Our social landscape is perceived as radically altered These differences are combined with a social stigma: these people are seen as “inferior” The term “immigrant” comes to imply a pejorative meaning

Different types of migrants Economic migrants Seasonal migrants (now: “circular migrants”, in a “triple win” scenario) Skilled migrants and investors Migrants for family reasons (or “secondary migrations”) Second generations (are they immigrants?) Asylum seekers and refugees Irregular migrants, clandestines, victims of traffick Return migrants

The historical periods of international migrations in contemporary history : transatlantic migrations from Europe : refugees and first regulations : new refugees and reconstruction after the war : migrations towards Northern Europe and economic development 1974-now: restriction, selection, free circulation in the EU, irregular migrations

Four trends in contemporary migrations (Castles and Miller) Globalization Acceleration Diversification Feminization

Phases or stages of migrations 1) First arrivals: young workers, without families, with the proposal to stay temporarily 2) New arrivals, workers even now. People with less resources, but sponsored by the “hubs”. Time extends 3) Family reunions: spouses and children arrive, Immigrants settle 4) Formation of ethnic minorities. Political and cultural demands. Creation of ethnic institutions