Author:

Keywords:

Brazilian migrants, transmigration, transnationalism, social work research

Abstract:

Many urban residents in our European cities have roots in migration and are involved in networks that transcend the borders of their country of residence, or even of Europe. It has become a commonplace that 21st century migrants maintain transnational lifestyles, keeping in close touch with their regions of origin and other regions around the world in which significant others have settled. Many contemporary migrants – including Brazilians – come and go, not always being sure how long they will stay in sending or receiving countries; when they will stop migrating; or where they will eventually settle. These ‘mobile migrants’ or ‘transmigrants’ do not only experience the traditional problems other migrants are faced with – such as family separation, marginalization, discrimination, downward social mobility, exploitation and social disruption – but are additionally confronted with a number of risks that are specifically related to their mobile life style. Although upward social mobility of migrants contributes to an ethnic middle class, many transmigrants still face a high risk of social vulnerability. As a consequence, they are overrepresented in the client population of social services. Based on an ongoing research amongst Brazilian transmigrants in Brussels and Antwerp, the paper discusses the welfare needs these transmigrants experience and the strategies they use to meet these needs. It explores the difficulties and opportunities Brazilians encounter when they turn to their transnational networks on the one hand and social work organizations on the other hand to ask for support.