Glossary

Chosen return

See decided return

Compelled return 

In the framework of the research activities of the MIREM project, refers to a migrant who returns to his/her country of origin as a result of unfavourable circumstances and factors which abruptly interrupt the migration cycle. Enforced return is a form of compelled return. Compelled return is the opposite of decided or chosen return.

Decided return

In the framework of the research activities of the MIREM project, refers to a migrant who decides on his owm initiative to go back to the country of origin, without any form of pressure or coercion whatsoever. Decided return is based on the free will of the migrant to return. Decided return is a synonym of chosen return. It differs from voluntary return.

Enforced return

The compulsory return of a migrant to the country of origin as a result of an administrative or judicial act adopted by the public authorities of the destination country and ordering the removal of a person out of the national territory.

Expulsion

Administrative or judicial procedure aimed at removing by force a person out of a national territory.

Financial capital

Capital (funds and remittances) acquired by the migrant.

Human capital

Skills, know-how, training and new values acquired by the migrants and allowing him/her to act differently (Coleman, 1988).

Intention to re-emigrate

In the framework of the research activities of the MIREM project, refers to a returnee who plans to leave again for abroad, whether the intention is real or not.

Main country of immigration (MCI)

In the framework of the research activities of the MIREM project, refers to the last country of immigration where the respondent lived before returning home.

Permanent return

The return to the country of origin on a long-term basis.

Post-return conditions

Factors and circumstances inherent in the migrant’s post-return experience in the country of origin, whether return is temporary or permanent.

Pre-return conditions

Factors and circumstances inherent in the migrant’s experience of migration before returning to the home country.

Readmission

“Act by a state accepting the re-entry of an individual (own nationals, third-country nationals or stateless persons), who has been found illegally entering to, being present in or residing in another state.” Coucil of the European Union, Ref. 14673/02, 25 November 2002.

Re-emigration

When a returnee reemigrates, he or she leaves for abroad and at least three months after having returned to the country of origin.

Reintegration

Process through which a return migrant participates in the social cultural economic and political life of the country of origin.

Resource mobilisation

Process through which a migrant gathers resources, whether tangible or intangible, before and after return. This process is part and parcel of return preparation.

Return

Going back to one’s own country of origin, on a temporary or permanent basis, after having lived abroad (Bovenkerk, 1974).

Returnee

See return migrant

Return migrant 

In the framework of the research activities of the MIREM project, refers to a person who returns to his/her country of origin, in the course of the last ten years, after having been an international migrant (whether short-term or long-term) in another country. Return may be permanent or temporary.

Return preparation

Process taking place in the framework of the return to the country of origin. There exist various levels of return preparation shaping the migrant’s socioprofessional reintegration and readaptation in the country of origin. (see the online MIREM global report for a thorough analysis of return preparation)

Seasonal migrant

Person who emigrates to be employed for only part of the year because the work performed depends on seasonal conditions.

Social capital

Social relationships and family connections facilitating the migrant’s actions and goals (Coleman, 1988).

Temporary migrant

Person who emigrates for a period of at least three months in order to be employed on a short-term basis.

Temporary return

The return to the country of origin on a short-term basis and for a period of at least three months.

Visit

The short stay in the country of origin (less than three months) motivated, for example, by cultural and family reasons.

Voluntary return

In the proposal for a return action programme of the Council of the European Union, voluntary return is "the assisted or independent departure to the country of origin, transit or another third country based on the will of the returnee. (ref. 14673/02, 25 November 2002).[1]

In the framework of the MIREM project, voluntary return differs from decided or chosen return.