Results: Qualitative Study

Abstract

Outcomes of the qualitative study showed that pre-migration challenges in origin countries include bad economic conditions, poverty and threat to life, unemployment, corruption and poor infrastructures. In addition to the pre-migration challenges, migrants reported difficulties arising from experience in the destination countries. Among these are delays in processing immigration documents, rigorous documentation processes, inadequate accommodation in camps, language barrier, family separation, racism and discrimination, under-paid unemployment, and high accommodation costs.

This is a Journey into the Unknown, to Something completely new.

(Steve Squyres)

http://www.quotehd.com/quotes/steve-squyres-quote-this-is-a-journey-into-the-unknown-to-something-co Accessed March 27, 2020.

Introduction

This chapter presents the qualitative findings obtained during focus group discussion (FGD) and in-depth interviews carried out in the six European countries. Results are organized and presented separately for each European country to understand push and pull factors of migration, post-migration difficulties and possible pre- and mid-migration challenges, intentions to return home and recommendations as provided by migrants for prevention of emigration from origin countries and proper integration in destination countries. The order of presentation follows the order from previous chapters. The general thrust of this chapter is to let the migrants speak. In order to do so, we work with verbatim quotations from FGDs and in-depth interviews supplemented by graphs obtained via a tool provided by the Atlas_ti software (subsequently enhanced in pixel quality). Original FGDs and interviews were taped and then transcribed. Readers should be aware that utterances from study participants, were—when necessary—transposed during transcription to standard English from Pidgin to make them comprehensible for the average reader.

We refrain from offering in-depth interpretations when providing quotations and graphical displays, but do let the qualitative evidence speak for itself. Also, readers should be aware that although the country-specific subsections are structured in a similar way, their sequence of presentation is not always identical, because empirical evidence from the six countries did not always touch upon identical topics exclusively.

Germany

There were five FGD participants in Germany. Countries of origin include Cameroun, Ghana, and Nigeria.

Push Factors of Migration. Many challenges and difficulties in origin countries predisposed motivations to migrate to Europe. While some participants cited insecurity issues emanating from insurgencies and terrorist attacks in home countries, others decided to migrate because of poverty and poor socio-economic conditions.

For each country, the section encompasses prototypical quotes from the qualitative material, followed by a graphic display of the entire material using Atlas_ti software tools. Participants made the following prototypical remarks:

… in Africa, there is no much security. That’s why people at times run from Africa to Europe, to come and secure their families, their properties, and their lives as well. Nigerian problem is the Boko Haram insurgency which has been on for more than six years. Unfortunately, I was a victim. (FGD, P2¹)

… actually, I left my country because of political reasons. Before I left, members of my party were jailed and even some killed and so many things happened. So, I was afraid and I decided to leave. Since then I came here, I am ok. (FGD, P2)

… they have some circumcision they do for women back home…They happen only in our area and other parts of the world. (FGD, P3)

The subsequent figure summarizes the most important push factors, ranging from a life in insecurity in general terms to an immediate threat to life. Pull factors—also depicted in Fig. 9.1—range from a general curiosity to a praise of the quality of amenities.

Fig. 9.1

Push and pull factors of migration

Pull Factors of Migration. Europe is perceived as a good place to live in. Some also migrate to further their education and seek for greener pastures. These motives are expressed below:

… I decided to study neuroscience and Ghana doesn’t offer any neuroscience program. So, I had the opportunity here in Bremen and I found it very interesting. (FGD, P1)

… but what happened is that we have been hearing of Europe. Europe is good, Europe is good. So, we want to see how Europe is beautiful, what makes Europe better than Africa. Here I come, see a lot of things and amenities. There are you good roads, constant electricity. Everything is sufficient, which is not enough in Africa. (FGD, P2)

… I came in search of greener pasture actually, and in the process, I went in for my masters and PhD. And yeah, I think I am one of those who actually came for greener pasture and am getting it. (FGD, P4)

Mid-Migration Challenges. Even though Germany was the preferred destination of participants, some initially resided in France for a period of time. Migrants also prefer to rather live in France or Belgium than in Italy which was the first point of entry. The journeys within European countries are reportedly facilitated by officials who usually provide assistance to cross the borders. From reports, migrants who receive good support from traveling agents and travelled by air may not experience stress during transit. Some travel by flight through Istanbul to reach Europe while others journeyed via the Mediterranean from Libya. During transits migrants reported feeling lonely, missing their ways and having communication problems due to language barriers.

Below are excerpts from participants’ statements:

… because Italy is saturated, they now find themselves, legally or illegally in other countries in Europe. In fact, some say some officials help them to cross over to Germany or to any other country apart from Italy. (FGD, P1)

… I travelled by air and it wasn’t a direct flight, I went to Turkey, Istanbul before coming. (FGD, P1)

… when I was actually coming, I left my baby behind in Ghana and, on the flight, I was so sad. I cried on the flight before arriving here …Many came, many of them are not here now. Many came, many of those I met, came through Italy, some came not with flight, some with flight to Libya and then Libya by sea to Italy. (FGD, P4)

… yeah, I came here with a flight from Douala to France. I later on took the next flight to Germany because from Cameroon we don’t have a direct flight. (FGD, P3)

… I came by flight. Actually, I didn’t come to Bremen direct. I went to France where I spent some years. So due to one thing or the other, I decided to migrate to Bremen. (FGD, P2)

… I was travelling with some group of persons. So, they were doing everything for us. I was just sitting comfortable going to Europe, I didn’t know where I was going but found myself here. (FGD, P3)

Seemingly, there are predominantly two types of mid-migration challenges: handling the pain of leaving and poor facilities at the places that migrants pass through (Fig. 9.2).

Fig. 9.2

Mid-migration challenges

Post-Migration Challenges. Language is one major challenge in Germany as migrants, e.g., need to Google names of groceries before going for shopping. At times, they could be discriminated against in shops by asking them to present themselves for searching before the exit. One of the participants reported that she burst into tears after experiencing such incidence. In addition, some natives may exhibit wary behaviors when African migrants and those from Eastern Europe are sighted in public places. Participants described these events as traumatizing. Below are some specific responses by participants:

… one problem we are facing is racism. (FGD, P2)

… and then I heard a lady call me that she wants to take a look at my bag … Because of my language barrier, I couldn’t speak to the lady in a way I wanted to and it really pained me that I didn’t defend myself. (FGD, P1)

… sometimes, it is amazing when you see eyes staring at you in the shop… you just feel you are being tagged as a thief… I was actually crying. (FGD, 1)

… in several other shops, sometimes, you hear statement like “watch your back” (said in German). And they tag you if you are a black person. (FGD, P2)

… yes, they used to do that only for blacks, but now it has changed. It affects all of these whites from Eastern bloc. Their situation is worse than blacks now… blacks have a stigma, they still tag the blacks. (FGD, P4)

… it was initially difficult going for groceries with the language barrier. Interacting with other people was very difficult for me. Sometimes, I need to google certain things for about 30 mins before I go out… (FGD, P3)

… for all first timers, it’s not easy coming to Europe, especially if you come from English speaking countries. It’s not so easy, when you come, you speak your language, they will tell you no no no no. What you hear is no, you cannot understand anything again. (FGD, P2)

… from experience, to me I just use one word, racism. Whites are racists I must confess. (FGD, P2)

However, not all participants experienced discriminatory attitudes. Reports showed that migrants adopted by natives or who attend church activities where predominantly natives are members may not perceive racism or discriminatory behaviors.

… when I first came to Germany I was adopted by this modern German family. We had a good time, we had everything. They took me like a child, they paid everything for me. When I started studies, right away I got State run scholarship…there was never a lack and when I finished it, the university took me on. So, I have always had a job and everything is on the positive. But the German society is very racist and firm. There are enough researches on the way black people are treated…. (FGD, P4)

… we have been saying in the church every day, serving God pays. I am a Catholic Christian from back home. Even here in Germany, I minister as a Catholic. And since I came here, I started attending church every Sunday, I go to Catholic Church. Sometimes I go to family church. So, I met good people in my life since I came here. In the church experience, I met good women, sometimes invite me for coffee. I have not encountered this kind of problems in my life since I came here and I got advice from good Germans. (FGD, P5)

Figure 9.3 Apart from the racism, it was expressed that people go through emotional stress at the demise of loved ones. Others may develop mental health problems due to frustrations in host countries, particularly, when a residence permit is not granted. There are limited residences available to migrants even when an African migrant marries a German. Below are responses in this regard:

Fig. 9.3

Post-migration challenges

… that’s is what I am saying. Some were taken into prison for one little crime or the other and they died in prison. (FGD, P2)

… that’s where some of them get mad. And some who even got married to Germans are given this limited residence called “Duldung” for two years. (FGD, P2)

In addition, migrants perceive the documentation process as cumbersome, challenging and highly time-consuming. As a result, some migrants declare themselves as stateless in order avoid deportation and ensure speedy processing of documents.

… it seems claiming statelessness is just to avoid deportation. Finished! Otherwise, I could easily say I am from a particular country but the next thing is deportation. But if you remain stateless, the state has no choice but to leave you in Germany. (FGD, P4)

… it’s not all that easy getting documents here. You have to communicate to authorities back home to get the legal documents to support your asylum claim. (FGD, P3)

… during the process, you need a lawyer to defend you and party members to see how they can help and give you information. All those things, it’s a long process. (FGD, P3)

… you need a lawyer, you need to get proof of everything, photos…even though some judges don’t accept it. If you “fight” hard, at least God will make a way for you. (FGD, P1)

Other Stressors and Return Intentions. Other stressors reported include experience of extreme cold weather conditions, lack of social support, work pressures and poor living conditions as migrants. However, participants reiterated that much efforts and resiliency exerted for survival in Europe could have been channeled to make ends meet in their home countries. Hence, it may be better to return to their country of origin if one cannot cope. These are indicated by participants in the following statements:

… I think we foreigners should decide. It is not do or die. Either you live in Africa, you must die, either you live Europe, you must die. It’s better you go, that is your origin. (FGD, P1)

… coming to Europe, the weather is not fantastic for us as we are used to in Africa. People are dying, my brother. People are dying in a bit to come to Europe. (FGD, P1)

… people are suffering too, a lot. Many people are at least, no matter what you face in Africa you will find way out in your country. If they pursue you from north, you can even run to the south. If you struggle in Africa, the way you struggle in Europe, you may not need to come to here. The way people struggle here in Europe, my brother, if they do it down in Africa, they will make it. (FGD, P1)

… we don’t like the weather…. It is just as she said, if you find life difficult here, then you go back. Staying here without working makes no sense to me. It’s better to go back. (FGD, P4)

Coping Mechanisms. Figure 9.4 displays the mechanism utilized by migrants. These include participating in religious activities and hoping on God’s help, having dinners with migrants from similar cultural backgrounds and social support seeking. These activities afford migrants the opportunity of obtaining relevant information pertaining to proper integration into the German society. Discussions and advice are given on how and where to get affordable lawyers to defend their applications. Via these means, migrants receive affection, financial and moral supports among themselves. Below are some of participants’ statements in this regard:

Fig. 9.4

Coping mechanisms

… people here need to get contact with fellow Africans so that they can meet somebody who can help. When we have problem, we explain it to our pastor. If the Immigration calls you he will follow you. If anything happens there, he will know how to support you immediately. But if you are alone, nobody will help you. (FGD, P1)

… why I say (said) I was lucky is because I was frequently going to church, I met other people who will give me encouragement and so on and so forth. … (FGD, P2)

… I was directed to join a Caravan, there is a Caravan here in Bremen, here where the asylum seekers always meet every morning. They call it cultural dinner. People from different background make their own type of food. So, we meet there, we discuss, we give assistance. When you are in need of money, in need of lawyer, they will advise. (FGD, P2)

Recommendations. Participants expressed that there is need for skill development training in the host country to empower migrants to get jobs. In addition, favorable immigration policies should be formulated to help migrants get residence permits so that they can integrate better into host communities. It was also suggested that the immigration procedure for foreign students after completion of their studies in Germany should apply also to unskilled migrants. In other words, unskilled migrants should be given a certain period to learn a skill and find a job, and then should be allowed to have a stay in Germany. If these are not accomplished within a specified period, then they can be deported to their respective countries. It was also suggested that there is the need to improve on democracy in home countries to prevent emigration. Good democracy will promote development and reduce corruption, which is the bane of African socioeconomic problems. African governments should invest in their youths to prevent emigration into European countries. These are expressed in the following statements:

…we have problems with our democracy back home. Politicians hold on to power, people don’t want to leave power. (FGD, P3)

… old people are still holding key positions in government. The same people who served as ministers when I was a child are still in government till today. (FGD, P3)

… what applies to students should apply to unskilled migrants. When students get their degrees, they have two years to find a job. And if you don’t get that job, you are asked to go back home. Also, migrants should be allowed to learn a skill and get a job. If they can’t within a certain period, they should be asked to go back home. (FGD, P5)

… the attempt to seek for greener pasture would end if the national government will invest in programs that will uplift the skill development of the youths. (FGD, P5)

France

Focus group discussion were carried out in France among six migrants (two females and four males) from Nigeria (Fig. 9.5).

Fig. 9.5

Recommendations from migrants

Push Factors of Migration. According to participants’ narratives, the principal reason for migrating is because of the harsh economic conditions in the home country that put citizens in perpetual poverty. As a result, youths are motivated to travel to Europe in order earn income and give financial assistance to family members back home. Poor economic outcomes are hinged on the corrupt behaviors in leadership and followership. Notably, citizens who cannot cope with corrupt behaviors may consider migration to Europe. Other push factors include seeking of medical treatment, greediness and lack of contentment with what one has achieved back home.

Below are some excerpts from participant:

… most people leave Nigeria for various reasons. Number one, maybe when they are from a poor background, they tend to travelled out to sought for money so that they can assist their families. (FGD, P1)

… we know that when you come abroad the way their medical settings is different far far better off than in Nigeria. (FGD, P1)

… then others tend to travel because they are greedy because even when they are from a well to do homes, they still want to travel because they feel they want to come and make more money. (FGD, P1)

… we are going back to our country if only our country will be good. Economically, medically, socially and every other thing. (FGD, P1)

… corruption anywhere I went. I just left university working and everywhere stinks of corruption. Nobody is ready to work; they are ready to take money. Nobody is ready to improve… (FGD, P2)

… when it got to a particular time, I was always saying no no, I can’t work in this kind of system… I was always telling my mum. She will always tell me you are the hardworking one but that’s how the system is. You need to be careful so that you don’t get into people’s way. (FGD, P2)

… in Nigeria, those who are working are working, those who are embezzling are embezzling, and corruption is everywhere. Government is not willing, they are not straight-forward. (FGD, P2)

… transparency was not there. When you talk about transparency, it wasn’t there. (FGD, P2)

Pull Factors. There is the perception that it’s all a bed of roses in France. It is believed that migration to Europe would give an opportunity to make a huge amount of money in a relatively short period and enjoy life to the fullest. However, participants reiterated that these expectations are not met as soon as you enter the shore of Europe. Interestingly, a participant expressed that her reason for coming to Europe is the desire to marry a white man (Fig. 9.6).

Fig. 9.6

Push and pull factors of migration

… and others will leave Africa and come to Europe to come and look for greener pastures. They will come here, they don’t know what they in for. (FGD, P1)

… the mentality of people coming from Africa is to make quick money as if you pick the money on the streets here. (FGD, P1)

… because you come over to Europe in search of money and… from day one, it’s all about money. (FGD, P6)

… yea, I have always wanted to come to Europe. I had the intention of getting married to a white…I love their babies. (FGD, P2)

Another important pull factor in migration to France is sex trafficking. Young girls are recruited from a poor socio-economic background and brought to France to engage in sex trade by the so-called ‘Madam’ or ‘Sponsor.’ These girls are forced to pay back up to €60,000 to cover traveling expenses and other charges as demanded by the leader of the sexual networks. Refusal to pay the said amount may lead to threats to assassinate defaulters and family members in home country. These are reflected in participant’s statement below:

… trafficking, yes. So, a lot of girls came to this country through that means. So, they have to just look for means to pay off. Because if they don’t pay they threatened to kill them. (FGD, P2)

… yes, most of these girls are from a very poor background. (FGD, P2)

… victims of sex trafficking are made to pay €50,000, €30,000 or €60,000 Euros. I will call them thieves, they are greedy. The madam or sponsors don’t spare them. (FGD, P2)

Post-Migration Challenges. While migrants affirmed that France is a beautiful nation, they also felt that everything is not rosy in the country. Migrants are faced with a lot of challenges bothering on racism and language difficulty. Aside from being able to communicate in French, it is also important that migrants must be proficient in the use of the English language in order to get a job (Fig. 9.7).

Fig. 9.7

Post-migration challenges in France

Like other European countries, delay in documentation process is a major stressor for African migrants in France hampering integration. As a result of lack of legal status, many are underpaid and treated badly by some employers. In addition, sex trafficking continues to pose serious distress for victims as their lives are constantly under threat due to pressure to offset all charges demanded by ‘Madams’ or ‘Sponsors’ and redeem all agreements.

Participants’ expressions are presented below:

… language issue and the ability to speak English is an added advantage here. (FGD, P2)

… to survive. I have to make hand-outs. So, it was really very difficult…I never knew is going to be that difficult. (FGD, P1)

… ability to speak English is good here. (FGD, P1)

… but if you are not lucky and you come across some whites that are racist, oh you will regret the day you enter into Europe. (FGD, P1)

… most important factor that is really affecting Africans is the language. (FGD, P6)

… they will so frustrate you, you will work for them and they won’t want to pay you because they know there is nothing you can do them if you don’t have your papers. (FGD, P1)

… I was supposed to be paid according to the hours I worked but because I wasn’t having papers, I was under paid. (FGD, P1)

… trafficking. Yes, so a lot of girls came to this country through this that means. So, they have to just look for means to pay off. Because if they don’t pay they threatened them… … working in cold and every other thing, I don’t think it is worth it. (FGD, P1)

Coping Strategies. Religion seems to play an important role in the coping attitudes of migrants. Attending religious services enables migrants to have useful social contacts who usually provide information on ways to integrate into the French society. During religious services, migrants have opportunities to dance, laugh and get some relief from post-migration living difficulties.

… but I was so lucky. In the church I was attending I made announcement about job and was connected with families who needed English speakers to take care of their babies. So, it was very easy for me to get a job. (FGD, P1)

Recommendations. The recommendations by participants are displayed in Fig. 9.8. It was suggested that the government of sending countries should educate the youths, create jobs for them and develop the country. For receiving countries, participant suggested that the documentation process should be less rigorous to allow integration. Additionally, government should put more relevant policies in place to discourage racism and segregation.

Fig. 9.8

Recommendations by migrants

Below are the extracts from participants’ statements:

… economically, Nigeria should be developed. If there is way they can create job opportunities for the youths. (FGD, P2)

… it is the youths that are travelling. The government should educate the youths. If they educate them very well and later have the reason to travel, they will represent Nigeria very well. (FGD, P2)

… if there is any way they can talk with government here to give papers. I think if they can just give working papers… (FGD, P1)

… the integration between blacks and whites is important. (FGD, P1)

Italy

Seven migrants from Nigeria participated in the FGD conducted in Rome, Italy.

Push Factors. Participants indicated that the reasons for migrating to Europe may not be general for all migrants. However, it was suggested that the central motive is the desire for a better life which could not be attained in home countries due to corruption, insecurity of lives and lack of basic amenities such as electricity. People also migrate because of greed and lack of contentment.

Below are extracts from participants’ responses:

… I don’t like the kind of job I was doing while at home. I believe coming to Europe will enable me to earn more money… (FGD, P1)

… but coming to Europe is an individual thing. (FGD, P1)

… if you are in your country, you may not have better life. There are some factors that will hinder it or something that will not allow it. (FGD, P2)

… if you look at a country like Nigeria, there is no security and electricity power… (FGD, P5)

… there is corruption all over … (FGD, P7)

… I just want to say something a little bit different. Do you know that some people are here because of greed? For me, if I had known I would not have been here because I am better off in Nigeria, do you understand? I am better off in Nigeria.. (FGD, P3)

Pull Factors. Asides perceiving Italy as a country to fulfil life dreams, participants noted that Italy’s immigration policies are less stringent. For example, it is reported that irregular migrants are allowed to walk freely on the streets without being arrested by the police (Fig. 9.9).

Fig. 9.9

Push and pull factors

Below are extracts from participants’ statements:

… I think when it comes to documentation in the whole of Europe, Italy should be given number one. No country can out class them on that…they are good. (FDG, P3)

… well I think I came here for greener pastures thinking that when I get here things might be better… (FGD, P2)

Post-Migration Challenges. Figure 9.10 presents the post-migration living difficulties in Italy. Among these are language barrier, racism, high cost of housing, social security and economic issues. These are expressed as follows:

Fig. 9.10

Post-migration challenges in Italy

… for the first three months, I could not even say good morning in the street. I thought people can say good morning and everybody can understand you……the language was anything else. I could only communicate with people I was staying with…. (FGD, P2)

… you need to know the Italian people. They will put fire in one hand and use the other hand to quench the fire. They give you smile but they have different things in mind. They consider black people as migrants… (FGD, P4)

… I thought when I come to Italy I will continue with the trade I was doing back at home…in fact it has been my dream because I know Italy have quality product…I thought that it is the same system. But I realize. As a matter of fact, when I reach Italy it was a different ball game [stressing these words]. (FGD, P2)

… Italians are very superficial, very superficial, though there are some good ones but it takes you time to find out the type of people you are dealing with, it can take years for you to find out…you need to understand them very very well … (FGD, P2)

… the conditions of support for Africans here is low compared to other countries like UK and Germany. When you have family, they help you a lot, but in Italy, they deprive… (FGD, P1)

… so, when you go to stations you see the refugees and those new in the country walking about, looking haggard… some are evicted from their house… (FGD, P3)

… they don’t care, approaching an Italian shop 3h05 they say I am closing or go somewhere else, they don’t care. This August, the shops are closed the offices are closed. (FGD, P5)

Feelings of Accomplishments and Regrets. Two out of three participants expressed some regrets for migrating to Italy especially during initial arrival. Regrets bother on the wide discrepancy between expectations and actual experience in Italy. Migrants would have preferred to return home, but are unable to take such decision considering the difficulties and ordeals experienced during the travel to Europe. According to them, returning home after expending so much resources on the journey do not make sense. On the other hand, one out of the three participants has a sense of accomplishment and does not regret migrating to Europe.

Below are extracts from participants’ statements:

… if I had known I would not have been here because I am better off in Nigeria, do you understand? I am better off in Nigeria. (FGD, P3)

… I decided to stay considering what I passed through before getting here. Had it been it was that easy for me to just buy ticket and go back, I would have just bought ticket. But I have passed through a lot. Then I say what’s the sense in going back. So, I started working. (FGD, P3)

… when I was in Nigeria some years back, by grace of God, I was not doing so badly. I was a business man. (FGD, P2)

… 10 years now, I can’t say I have much regret. Not that I am doing too bad but had it been I was in Nigeria I would have been better. (FGD, P1)

… My God! I would have been better than who I am right now, but I am not regretting. (FGD, P1)

… actually, to me, I can’t regret anything now. It was when I came newly that I regretted coming here. But as times go things began to unfold. Today, I am not regretting anything. (FGD, P1)

… not much regretting, I still have high esteem for better life after staying longer here. Things are moving well, but in comparison with other European countries, it is not. That is where the regret lies. (FGD, P3)

… I went back to school here. I think I am becoming a better person now, I work in a very good place. I am ok, I am not regretting anything now. (FGD, P2)

Spain

Two separate focused groups of men and women migrants participated in the FGDs conducted in Lleida, Spain. Male and female Participants were mainly from Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Sudan, and Liberia.

Push Factors. According to participants, poverty, poor socio-economic status and corruption in their home country were major factors necessitating migration to Europe. Migrants believed that migration to Spain would help improve individual socio-economic conditions and enable provision of financial assistance to family members back at home (Fig. 9.11).

Fig. 9.11

Push factors for Spain

Below are quotes from participants’ statements:

… well, it is somebody that brought me here because of the suffering in Nigeria… I have two kids, no money no help. But somebody saw me, he pity on me, brought me to this place to come and look for what to take care of my children. (FGD, P4)

… I lost my mum about 30 years ago. You know my mum was very young at the age of forty-five. So, the situation then was bad in Nigeria. When my mum died, I was the one taking care of my younger ones. (FGD, P5)

… the situation in Nigeria is very bad, very very bad… (FGD, P5)

Mid-Migration Challenges. Migrants undergo various challenges on their way to Spain via Morocco. They suffer from hunger and most times consume undernourished food. Other difficulties include police arrest, exposure to dangers when during hide-outs in the bush to evade arrest and risking of lives when attempting to jump onto a moving train. Additionally, it was reported that a fellow migrant who slept off under a cargo train to take a rest after a long journey was crushed at the movement of the train.

Below are excerpts from statements of participants:

… when we want to enter the train, we will wait until we are able to jump inside. When we see the police, we will move to the front of the train. On getting to Rabat we trek to where we sleep. It’s difficult… (FGD, P4)

… hmm, for example, after a long journey we have to rest a little bit before we continue. So, we now hid under this cargo train…. Nobody knew the cargo train was working. One of us was still sleeping while others have left. The cargo train moved and crushed him. He slept off he didn’t know. (FGD, P2)

… we ate bread and garri.² Normally we take garri along. The gateman (i.e. the keeper) buys food and bring it for us inside the bush because he has Moroccan passport. He will buy the food and give us… (FGD, P3)

Post-Migration Challenges. Similar to other European countries, the post-migration problems encountered in Spain include lack of legal status or documentation problems, discrimination, racism, and unemployment. Discriminative attitudes may vary for citizens from West Africa. For example, it was reported that Nigerians were more discriminated against compared to Senegalese. Migrants also reported that racism pervades the work place which has made many to lose their jobs. For instance, it was noted that Africans working as attendants experienced low patronage because natives do not patronize them. Rather, natives most times prefer to transact business with fellow natives. In addition, educational certificates obtained in home countries are not accepted for employment, and as a result, many migrants are employed in “inferior” positions and low-paid jobs while others re-enroll in degrees they had already obtained before arrival in Spain (Fig. 9.12).

Fig. 9.12

Mid-migration challenges

Below are quotes from participants’ statement:

… the way they treat white is different from the way they treat we black. For example, now, it is impossible for us to work with the degrees we obtained at home. They will say those certificates you have are not valid. You have to start from the scratch, you must go to school again and learn their language. (FGD, P5)

…. I came here since March 2011, which is four years now. I am here, glory be to God. For now, I have been “fighting” for my documents but yet to get it. But I know by God’s grace, I will get it. (FGD, P5)

… for now, I don’t have paper, but I know God will do it. (FGD, P4)

… I use to believe Europe is okay before. But here is worst. Why did I say so? Because when I go to some places, they will allow [Moroccans or Arabs]³ and Senegalese men to enter, but they will reject Nigeria, I don’t know what is wrong, I don’t know what is wrong. We Nigerians here in Spain are suffering, we are suffering. (FGD, P5)

Intention to Return to Home Country. Almost all FGD participants in Spain showed no intention of going back to their home countries. While acknowledging that life in Spain was tough and stressful, migrants believed they could cope better with these difficulties compared to the troubles and problems in their home countries. Some expressed that they could visit their home country but are not willing to take on permanent residence there anymore (Fig. 9.13).

Fig. 9.13

Post-migration challenges

Below are excerpts from participants’ view:

… I know there is stress here, but it’s better than Nigeria. (FGD, P5)

… go back to Nigeria? No. No I can’t go back to Nigeria. If I have my papers I may go to visit. I cannot stay Nigeria. (P1)

… this place is better than Nigeria… here is better than Nigeria.

Figure 9.14 Similar to FGD participants in France, participants in Spain suggested that governments of home countries should provide basic amenities such as good roads, electricity and water for the people in order to discourage migration to Europe. Additionally, the African Union should defend Africans who are being discriminated against in Europe. It was also recommended that the ECOWAS Passport should maintain the same identity number upon renewal to allow easy monitoring and tracking of citizens. For receiving countries, migrants proposed reformulation of immigration policies to allow flexible processing of documentations and legal status.

Fig. 9.14

Recommendations from migrants

Below are quotes from participants:

… we need good roads, electricity, basic amenities, water in home country to stop migration to Europe. (FGD, P2)

… ever since I came to Spain, my ECIS number is the same right from the first time, without changing it. Anywhere you go to, the moment you type in your ECIS number, your data will appear. But in ECOWAS passport, anytime you renew, they change the number. (FGD, P5)

… what we really need in Spain is the document. They should make things easy for us, we really need the document. (FGD, P6)

Migration Routes and Conditions of Journey. Participants further narrated the routes taken to get to North Africa and then Europe. Principally, they journey through Libya to cross to Italian or Maltese shores via the Central Mediterranean Sea. Alternatively, migrants pass through Morocco to reach Spain via the Western Mediterranean Sea or the land route. The journey is described to be a difficult and challenging one beginning from home countries. One migrant from Nigeria on the way to Italy summarized the journey to Libya as follows:

… we passed through the Libyan route. The journey started from Benin-City (Edo State, Nigeria) by bus. Then from Benin-City to Kano (Northern Nigeria). After Kano, we got to Zinder and then Agadez (both in Niger Republic) where we spent about one month. The journey took almost two days to get to Agadez from Zinder. We got delay in Agadez because we were waiting for escorts and soldiers to ensure our safety from bandits in the dessert that harass and kill people. Then a big trailer conveyed us from Agadez to Dirkou. A double decker now carried us from Dirkou to Modama (Northern Niger). Then from Modama to the Sahara Desert and then to Libya. (FGD, P4)

Further, the experience of travelling through the desert was life threatening. In many occasions, migrants who do not utilize the services of smugglers because of the inability to pay charges may miss their way, starve and die in the desert.

One of the participants narrated as follows:

… the easiest way to pass through the desert is for you to pay smugglers so that you can know the route to go. The reason why you see many people die in the desert or in the sea or when climbing barbed wire is because they don’t have money to pay. Without map people get lost in the Sahara Desert… But if you really pay someone that knows the road, you will not get lost or die of hunger. They will feed you, make sure everything is okay. (P2)

In addition, moving as a group was reported to be safer than traveling with few individuals in the desert journey. However, travelling as a group with preponderance of female migrants constitute greater risks as females are highly susceptible to sexual abuse and rape. Moreover, migrants usually bribe bandits and robbers along the desert way in order to avoid being assaulted and killed.

… if you run alone, they will catch you and rape you if you are a girl. As a girl, if you want to move with a group, make sure in that group, there are 15 boys or 10 boys. But if you go with a group where there are two boys and the rest are girls, they will rape those girls. (FGD, P2)

… but if you don’t bribe them, they will kill the boys, but the girls they will rape them… (FGD, P1)

Migrants further narrated the journey from Nigeria to Ceuta, a Spanish enclave sharing land border with Morocco. The traveling mostly occurred in the night ‘when the road is clear’ to avoid arrests by police and patrols. One migrant remarked that he was arrested and put in the cell 14 times at the border between Moroccan and Algeria. Journeys were typified by several risks with serious dangers to life. Below are excerpts:

… the journey started from Benin –City (Nigeria). From Niger Republic we passed through the desert to Bamako (Mali) in a jeep. We lived on “garri”, milk and water. Then from Bamako to Algeria. After passing the towns in Algeria, we then got to Morocco. Passing through Algeria to Morocco was very difficult because the police there were not corrupt and don’t take bribe. We climbed from mountain to mountain and descended many times before we got to the boundary between Morocco and Ceuta. There were barbed wires everywhere. We pass under the barbed wires, and then straight to the tunnel. After walking for some time inside the tunnel, we got to another place inside it that led to Ceuta. We now came out from a tiny hole and got into Ceuta City. Then the Arab people leading us looked for taxi that took us to the camp. The journey took a month and three weeks. (P2)

… from Algeria to Morocco, they don’t take bribe. So, what we do is to wait for when the road is clear, we normally pass the place by night… when they are coming we just lie down and wait for them to pass. If they catch us, they will put us in the cell. From morocco to Algeria, I went to cell fourteen times. (P1)

Moreover, migrants usually disguise as refugees before entering into the camp. This involves throwing away their passports, making themselves look dirty and tattered. Below is the narrative:

… for example, if you have anything, like document, passport…we throw everything away and make sure we look very rough. Maybe if our shoe is complete we just throw away one, or go into the camp without shoe, so we look like refugee. (P2)

Migrants who do not have enough money to pay smugglers pass through dangerous routes with a mind-set that the trip may take their lives. For example, smugglers may charge up to €1500 to smuggle migrants into Ceuta. Unfortunately, migrants who cannot pay such an amount would have to climb the barb wired fence to jump into Ceuta. Jumping the fence into Ceuta is considered highly dangerous and mostly accompanied with low success rate. It is a journey of survival of the fittest. It’s either they die or survive, a condition referred to as self-beating.

… we paid €1500 to cross from Morocco to Ceuta…. those that climb barb wired fence as shown on the TV did not pay anybody; they are on their own…. if I want to die I die, if I want to survive I survive. That is what they call self-beating. (P2)

Netherlands

There were six FGD participants for the study in the Netherlands consisting of four males and two females from Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and Nigeria.

Pull and Push Factors of Migration. Better environment and guaranteed good living conditions were reasons for migrating to the Netherlands while security problems, threat to life and economic challenges were motivations to leave origin countries. Below are some statements of participants:

… I received even death threat. (FGD, P1)

… you just want to leave your country, for you they are like god (in Europe), they can save life, they have place, you live good and your pain is finished. (FGD, P1)

… one thing is that you have death threat back home, what are you doing back home? (FGD, P1)

Mid-Migration Challenges. Majority of participants arrived in Europe by boat. They could not travel by air because of lack of proper documentation. However, they undergo the stress and discomfort of sea travel with the hope that better lives lie ahead of them in Europe (Fig. 9.15).

Fig. 9.15

Push and pull factors of migration

Below are some excerpts from narratives of participants:

… for me especially, I came by boat, you cannot come by air because you don’t have documents. (FGD, P1)

… I didn’t know I was coming to Netherlands… I only heard Holland while in Africa but never heard of Netherlands. They put me in a room in the boat until we got here. I didn’t choose to come here but I am here. If anyone try to destroy me, I’ll give my life, I don’t have anything to lose… (FGD, P2)

Post-Migration Challenges. There are several post-migration problems reported by selected migrants in the Netherlands as shown in Fig. 9.16. These challenges include spending several years in camps, rigorous documentation system, abuse of rights, language barrier, and family separation.

Fig. 9.16

Post-migration challenges

Suicidal ideation may occur after staying in refugee camps for as long as seven to eight years under poor health care services. This is evident in one of the participant’s statement:

… a lot of persons come here and say they get off their mind and some kill themselves…They stress you to the level that you can easily lose your life”. (FGD, P4)

At an intense feeling of despair, migrants may see no reason why they should continue to exist. They considered that the entire duration for processing of documents for attainment of legal status takes too long, which to a larger extent amount to wasting substantial part of an applicant’s productive life. This delay can be highly traumatizing. Asides delay in the documentation process, migrants considered it as a great challenge and unfairness when family members are separated from each other. For example, a mother may be granted refugee status while her child is refused this status. In some other cases, family members may not be permitted to live under the same roof due to some technicalities in immigration laws. Consequently, the agony of family separation will constitute a major mental health challenge for migrants.

Below are the words of participants in this respect:

… yesterday, I went to where my mother was residing. Officials made it known that I cannot stay with my mother in the two-bedroom apartment she is housed. If you are a family member, you cannot go and spend time on Wednesday and before you can visit, one needs to get permission by obtaining a stamp. But for me, that is unacceptable. Why do I need time schedule or permission to visit my own mother? I asked the official why I can’t stay there, she said it’s the law and cannot change it but if I have a friend, I can go and sleep in his/her house, but can’t sleep in my mother’s apartment. Very wicked, this system, it is so corrupt, you have your own mother, you can visit her but can spend the night with her. (FGD, P4)

… imagine that they granted refugee status to the son and refused the mother or granted to the mother and not the son or granted the father alone. Does that make any sense? The system is unpredictable. You cannot say for this guy it is like this, so mine will be like that, every time, it is different. (FDG, P4)

… I don’t understand the system that is why I say they are here to confuse you. Yeah, they say you don’t have problem, your mum has problem but we are the same family, we are coming from the same womb… Now they granted status to my mum and refused mine. I came many times, what can you do? Nothing, they say the system is like that. (FGD, P4)

… if you ask them whether your children and grant children can live with you in the three-bedroom apartment housing you, they will say no. The house is for you and yourself, not for your daughter and your grandchildren. (FGD, P4)

… in addition, if a mum assists her children, they will take her document. (FGD, P4)

… people are wasting away here. (FGD, P1)

…. I received negative decision in July of the previous year and went to court in August of the following year, making a year and one month. (FGD P2)

… to be in the camp for 7.8, years can drive someone crazy. (FGD, P1)

… granting of documentation is by luck. For example, out of five applicants from the same country and same reasons for migration, two may be granted status while the others are denied. Then you asked why through the lawyer. The officials might say the other three were lying because of the way they talked. You can also be so unlucky and face big problems if you are given stringent official to handle your case. Even some officials might just see you and would not like your face. You may also be unlucky to have officials who have family problems handling your case. Such official may bring their frustration to work and deny applicants based on transferred aggression. (FGD, P3)

… they have a lot of people here at the camp, one person, two bedroom or three bedrooms. They put pressure on you so that you can make up my mind and asked to be sent home. They have the whole power because they have my passport. (FGD, P2)

… I received a negative decision and they said I can go back home… I was in a relationship for seven years with my children father back home but have been here for almost four years. That relationship is no more because a man will not be waiting for a woman four years. They are saying I can go and make amends with the man. I say we are no more in relationship. Where do I go? My family back home is very small, my grandmother is 75 years and there is no work back home. If I should go back, my children will be affected because they have already started school here. You mix up their brain with this language now and you want to turn them around again. Whatever they are teaching in school when they return home will be difficult for them because they have already learnt Dutch. They will start learning English again; you understand? (FGD, P5)

In addition to the aforementioned difficulties, migrants also complained about the poor health facilities and unfavorable living conditions in camps. As a result of low health insurance, migrants may not have opportunity to visit a medical doctor for adequate diagnosis and treatment of ailments. Moreover, camps could be overcrowded without proper facilities to cater for needs of inhabitants. Excerpts from participants’ statements regarding these are presented below:

… even here in the asylum, you will be very sick they will only give you paracetamol, they don’t care. You are not given a letter you go to the hospital and see an official doctor… because insurance is low. To tell you the truth, they treat us so badly here… (FGD, P4)

… they just help everyone from nine to ten, if you come one minute after, they say come tomorrow, they ask you to go and come back tomorrow, even though you cry…even if you are that sick, they won’t attend to you. (FGD, P2)

… I was sick once, my throat was swollen and asked for antibiotics to clear my throat infection. But was given paracetamol which I took initially but didn’t work. I requested to be sent to the hospital. They said ah in Holland they don’t like to give the Augmentin, because of side effects. I said, please, at least it will help me, I cried, I said I will not leave, I decided that I will not leave there. They said, you have to leave me, I will not leave, I said I know myself, I am in pain, I will not leave here, that was when the lady sent me to the hospital. When they checked me, they said ooh your throat is so badly infected, they give me anti-biotics in two days, I could eat. (FGD, P4)

… and next thing, I can say here, they make living condition so bad. Look at this small television given for everyone here to watch. You can’t have a micro-wave, you can’t have additional thing, just these, what they give you. You can’t have nothing!!! In this place… they put eight people in an apartment. It’s a problem when one wants to shower or cook, you have to wait for your turn and be faster in doing everything. (FGD P6).

… eight people in each apartment, two in a room with no micro wave. Even you can’t put mat on the floor, if you do, they will “butcher” you. (FGD, P4)

Coping Strategies of Migrants. In coping with stressors, some migrants indulge in excessive use of medications and pills which may result in memory loss. Other coping methods include being resilient, smoking, keeping out of trouble, and showing self-discipline.

These exemplified in statements below:

… I don’t suffer because of the medicine they give me to sleep… when you wake up, it’s as if you don’t have anything in your head. (FGD, P6)

… You take that medicine; it is your life. Medicine is the only thing that make you forget your sorrows and speak good. (FGD, P3)

…Some people drink because they are nervous… yeah, you have to be very very strong… (FGD, P3)

…. So, people indulge in alcohol intake. (FGD, P1)

…But I don’t blame them because I myself drink alcohol and smoke to stay strong… (FGD, P6)

United Kingdom (UK)

Four migrants (one female and three males) participated in the focus group discussion carried out in the UK. The countries of origin include Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Nigeria (Fig. 9.17).

Fig. 9.17

Post-migration coping strategies

Push Factors. Push factors necessitating migration to the UK are displayed in Fig. 9.18. They include financial difficulties, limited job opportunities in home countries and desire to assist family members.

Fig. 9.18

Push factors

Below are some quotes from participants’ statements:

… I want good living and wish to help my people back home. (FGD, P1)

… it’s quite worrisome and sometimes very depressing because of financial issues back home. We all came here with the intention of making some living. (FGD, P2)

Pull Factors. Figure 9.19 displays the pull factors to the UK. These includes an attraction for UK degree certificates and false information from peers about what one generally obtains in Europe.

Fig. 9.19

Pull factors

… it was for academic purpose, I came to London after finishing my masters… (FGD, P1)

… United Kingdom Educational System (UKES) was the travelling agent that helped me to come here…my counsellor used to tell me that “don’t worry”. I was just worried then that how can I just go and pay up to four million Naira for a Master’s degree in Law in UK when I can do same thing in University of Ibadan (in Nigeria) for 120,000 Naira and my balance will be there. (FGD, P3)

Some of the participants expressed that Europe was painted by peers as a continent where you can fulfil all life goals, have comfortable life experience and get lucrative jobs. For example, family members and friends usually send personal photos (taken in beautiful places in Europe) to relatives in home countries in order to create the impression that life is good in the foreign land. In addition, whenever migrants return to home country for holidays, they display their “wealth” by wearing flashy clothes, driving nice cars and spending extravagantly. These and many other factors such as limited job opportunities and lack of basic amenities in home country usually create the desire to travel to Europe.

Below are quotes from participants’ statements:

… my real reason for coming here were those friends I have…They influenced my decision to come here. I want good living and wish to help our people back home. (FGD, P1)

… my friend also told me that you can get a job, it is just about applying and you will get it…[laughed]. It is funny because the guy has not even gotten a job. (FGD, P1)

… in Africa generally, when somebody come from abroad no matter the country, they display their wealth by driving fleet of cars and giving people money… (FGD, P1)

… before I came to the UK, I heard many things from different people that when you get here, you can get jobs, you can do this… at least you can get the money you spent in coming here. (FGD, P3).

… the kind of mentality we have in Africa is that, once you leave the shores of your country, you can’t come back to your country the way you left. You don’t mind spending all the money you made with your last blood or sweat in one day to show people that you have been in abroad… (FGD, P1)

… I remember one time when I was working in a shopping mall, very nice place! I took some pictures and I send it home. When they saw how people dress in the mall they thought that is the kind of life I live. But when you walk to the outside you see that the environment is not beautiful as the inside. (FGD, P4)

Post-Migration Challenges. Similar to the EU countries, migrants in the UK expressed that limited job opportunities, financial problems and racism are common sources of stressors experienced in daily lives. Some migrants indicated that they would return to home countries if difficulties persist for a long time.

Below are some responses in this regard:

… I will say that jobs opportunities are really, really limited. But you will see that there are a lot of advertisements everywhere. But it is when you start the process of trying to apply, that you discover it’s not easy to get one. (FGD, P3)

…. then there is marginalization too. (FGD, P3)

… yeah there are lots of challenges, problems here and there, especially when you have your family here in addition, it makes things more difficult. But worse of all is getting your dream job, you see numerous jobs on-line, you apply, but getting then is a problem. (FGD, P4)

… when I was in London, I went to 20 interviews… they say, you haven’t gotten any experience, you just got a degree and this degree is not going to give you any job. (FGD, P2)

… there are lots of horrible experience in London, because of jobs but I thank God that when there is life there is hope. (FGD, P1, 2)

… in fact, with the reality of what I am facing and seeing… if things remain like this, I think it is time for me to go back… (FGD, P1)

We deliberately conclude our documentation of the results of our qualitative study with the above quote “…in fact, with the reality of what I am facing and seeing… if things remain like this, I think it is time for me to go back.”