“We will welcome you, don’t be afraid!” Family expectations and joint decision-making on returning “early” in irregular migration

Abstract

Abstract Existing literature suggests that lacking economic success prevents migrants from returning to the country of origin because they feel ashamed and fear rejection by families. This article addresses the return of irregular migrants who have not been able to meet social expectations in successful migration. Insights were gained from qualitative interviews with returned migrants during anthropological fieldwork in Ghana in 2012. Drawing on the narrative of female migrant Grace, this article shows that some migrants opt for return – despite being “early.” Exploring her perspective, it asks how return can become a preferred option despite having failed expectations and how familial obligations and negotiations shape the decision and capability to return without turning it into a social disaster. Thus, the role of familial relationships in enabling a return “preparedness” is addressed. It will be argued that changed constellations within transnational familial arrangements, moral dimensions of care, and cultural notions of familial relationships shape the return process. Furthermore, the article raises the issue of social assistance for migrants affected by deportability, which can facilitate their agency for mobility.