Juggling Citizenships for Transnational Familyhood: Mainland Chinese Immigrants in Canada and Their 'Return' Migration to China
Keywords:
Return migration, transnational families, citizenship law, Migración de retorno, familias transnacionales, ley de ciudadaníaAbstract
By considering the return migration of Mainland Chinese migrants who had immigrated to Canada, this contribution focuses on the way transnational families navigate citizenship regimes in two legal systems. It argues that despite their strong legal position in Canada, members of transnational families experience de facto deskilling and integration barriers. This prompts return migration decisions by the lead migrant, resulting in transnational family separation as the rest of the family remains behind in Canada for children’s schooling and to fulfil the residency requirements for citizenship status. However, the difficulties of transnational family separation result in later return by the remaining family members as well, usually after naturalising in Canada. The remainder of the article examines the immigration issues they face in China as naturalised Canadian citizens and further explores their intentions for sustained transnationalism.
Al tener en cuenta la migración de retorno de los emigrantes de China continental que habían emigrado a Canadá, esta contribución se centra en la forma en que las familias transnacionales navegan entre regímenes de ciudadanía en dos sistemas legales. La autora sostiene que a pesar de su fuerte posición legal en Canadá, los miembros de las familias transnacionales experimentan, de facto, barreras de integración y desprofesionalización. Esto lleva a que el emigrante principal decida retornar, lo que da lugar a la separación trasnacional de la familia, ya que el resto de la familia permanece en Canadá para la escolarización de los hijos y para cumplir con los requisitos de residencia para obtener el estatus de ciudadanía. Sin embargo, las dificultades de la separación de la familia transnacional dan como resultado un retorno más tardío de los miembros restantes de la familia y, por lo general, después de la naturalización en Canadá. El resto del artículo analiza los problemas de inmigración a los que se enfrentan en China como ciudadanos canadienses naturalizados y explora aún más sus intenciones para el transnacionalismo sostenido.
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