Abstract
A key finding of contemporary migration research relates to the crucial role of social networks and informal support within migrant networks in the initiation and the continuation of migration flows between sending and receiving countries (Massey, 1990; Massey et al., 2005; Epstein, 2008; Faist, 2010; Boyd and Nowak, 2013). Migrant networks encourage migration in numerous ways, both directly and indirectly. Whereas ‘pioneer’ migrants have to find their way to and in the destination country on their own, by facilitating their successors—giving, contributing to transport costs and providing access to housing and employment—they make migration easier and cheaper, and thus more attractive for potential new migrants. But previous migrants encourage migration also indirectly. Frequent home visits and transnational communication spread information about the benefits of migration and contribute to the rise of a ‘culture of migration’ in the home country. Bakewell and Jolivet (Chapter 9, in this volume) describe these personal or impersonal ‘messages’ from previous migrants to prospective migrants as ‘personal network feedback’ and ‘general broadcast feedback’. But in whatever way, migration networks contribute to migration up to the point that migration flows perpetuate, ‘independent of their initial conditions’ (Mabogunje, 1970, p. 14).
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Black, R., Engbersen, G., Okolski, M. and Pantiru, C. (eds.) (2010) A Continent Moving West?: EU Enlargement and Labour Migration from Central and Eastern Europe. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press.
Böcker, A. (1994) ‘Chain Migration over Legally Closed Borders: Settled Immigrants as Bridgeheads and Gatekeepers’ The Netherlands Journal of Social Sciences, 30(2), pp. 87–106.
Boyd, M. and Nowak, J. (2013) ‘Social Networks and International Migration’, in Martinello, M. and Rath, J. (eds.) An Introduction to International Migration Studies. European Perspectives. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, pp. 79–105.
Bovenkerk, F., Bruin, K., Brunt, L. and Wouters, W. (1985) Vreemd volk, gemengde gevoelens: etnische verhoudingen in een grote stad. Meppel: Boom.
Broeders, D. and Engbersen, G. (2007) ‘The Fight Against Illegal Migration. Identification Policies and Immigrants’ Counter Strategies’ American Behavioral Scientist, 50(12), pp. 1592–1609.
Burgers, J. and Engbersen, G. (1996) ‘Globalization, Immigration and Undocumented Migrants’ Journal of Ethnic & Migration Studies, 22(4), pp. 619–635.
De Boom, J., Engbersen, G. and Leerkes, A. (2012) ‘Illegale migranten’, in Jennissen, R. (ed.) De Nederlandse migratiekaart. Achtergronden en ontwikkelin-gen van verschillende internationale migratietypen. Den Haag: Boom Juridische Uitgevers, pp. 307–330.
De Haas, H. (2010) ‘The Internal Dynamics of Migration Processes: A Theoretical Inquiry’ Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 36(10), pp. 1587–1617.
Engbersen, G., Snel, E. and Van Meeteren, M. (2013) ‘Declining Migration from Morocco to the Netherlands and the Diminutive Causation of Migration’, IMI Oxford Working Paper Series, No. 73, International Migration Institute, University of Oxford.
Entzinger, H. (1984) Het minderhedenbeleid: dilemma’s voor de overheid in Nederland en zes andere immigratielanden in Europa. Meppel: Boom.
Entzinger, H.G. and Scheffer, P. (2012) De Staat van Integratie. Rotterdam: Mediacenter Rotterdam.
Epstein, G.S. (2008) ‘Herd and Network Effects in Migration Decision-making’ Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 34(4), pp. 567–583.
Faist, T. (2010) ‘The Crucial Meso-level’, in Martinello, M. and Rath, J. (eds.) Selected Studies in International Migration and Immigrant Corporation. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, pp. 45–90.
Koopmans, R. and Muis, J. (2009) ‘The Rise of Right-wing Populist Pim Fortuyn in the Netherlands: A Discursive Opportunity Approach’ European Journal of Political Research, 48(5), pp. 642–664.
Leerkes, A., Engbersen, G. and Van der Leun, J. (2012) ‘Crime among Irregular Immigrants and he Influence of Internal Border Control’ Crime, Law and Social Change, 12(1), pp. 15–38.
Lucassen, L. and Lucassen, J. (2011) Winnaars en verliezers. Een nuchtere balans van vijfhonderd jaar immigratie. Amsterdam: Bert Bakker.
Mabogunje, A.L. (1970) ‘Systems Approach to a Theory of Rural-urban Migration’ Geographical Analysis, 2(1), pp. 1–18.
Massey, D.S. (1990) ‘Social Structure, Household Strategies, and the Cumulative Causation of Migration’ Population Index, 56(1), pp. 3–26.
Massey, D.S., Arango, J., Hugo, G., Kouaouci, A., Pellegrino, A. and Taylor, J.E. (2005) Worlds in Motion: Understanding International Migration at the End of the Millennium. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
Nicolaas, H., Verschuren, S., Wijkhuijs, V. and Jennissen, R. (2012) ‘Arbeidsmigratie’, in Jennissen, R. (ed.) De Nederlandse migratiekaart. Achtergronden en ontwikkelingen van verschillende internationale migratietypen. Den Haag: Boom Juridische Uitgevers, pp. 77–110.
Netherlands Institute for Social Research (SCP) (2003) Rapportage Minderheden 2003. Den Haag: SCP.
Netherlands Institute for Social Research (SCP) (2013) De sociale staat van Nederland 2013. Den Haag: SCP.
Paul, A.M. (2013) ‘Good Help Is Hard to Find: The Differentiated Mobilisation of Migrant Social Capital among Filipino Domestic Workers’ Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 39(5), pp. 719–739.
Portes, A. (1995) ‘Economic Sociology and the Sociology of Immigration: A Conceptual Overview’, in Portes, A. (ed.) The Economic Sociology of Immigration. New York: Russell Sage Foundation, pp. 1–41.
Portes, A. and Rumbaut, R.G. (1990) Immigrant America: A Portrait. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Scheffer, P. (2003) ‘The Multicultural Fiasco’, in Cuperus, R., Duffek, K. and Kandel, J. (eds.) The Challenge of Diversity. European Social Democracy Facing Migration, Integration and Multiculturalism. Innsbruck: StudienVerlag, pp. 23–30.
Van Holsteyn, J. and Irwin, G. (2003) ‘Never a Dull Moment: Pim Fortuyn and the Dutch Parliamentary Election of 2002’ West European Politics, 26(2), pp. 41–66.
Van der Leun, J. (2003) Looking for Loopholes. Processes of Incorporation of Illegal Immigrants in the Netherlands. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press.
Van der Leun, J. and Kloosterman, R. (2006). ‘Going Underground. The Labour Market Position of Undocumented Immigrants in the Netherlands’ Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, 97(1), pp. 59–68.
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 2016 Erik Snel, Godfried Engbersen and Marije Faber
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Snel, E., Engbersen, G., Faber, M. (2016). From Bridgeheads to Gate Closers: How Migrant Networks Contribute to Declining Migration from Morocco to the Netherlands. In: Bakewell, O., Engbersen, G., Fonseca, M.L., Horst, C. (eds) Beyond Networks. Migration, Diasporas and Citizenship. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137539212_7
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137539212_7
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-55439-3
Online ISBN: 978-1-137-53921-2
eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)