Transnationalism and Reintegration The influence of transnationalism on reintegration outcomes for Filipino returnees that stayed irregular in the Netherlands

The influence of transnationalism in relation to reintegration has become an increasingly important issue in temporary society to understand the processes, outcomes, and policy implications of migrants’ return. Drawing on 15 qualitative semi-structured interviews with Filipino returnees and stakeholders involved with the return and reintegration process of irregular Filipino migrants, this study shows how transnationalism influences the reintegration outcomes of these returnees. A simple categorization of returnees and their reintegration trajectories was constructed using different forms of capital and the different dimensions of reintegration. Then, after distinguishing different forms of transnationalism before and after return, the results show that transnational involvement before return can go hand-in-hand with positive as well as negative reintegration outcomes after return. It can result in full reintegration, but can also create a false belief or false idea of ‘preparedness’, resulting in negative reintegration outcomes.