The Influence and Significance of Informal Social Networks in the Management of Irregular Migration: Georgian Migrants in Italy (2017–2020)

The relationships and interactions between social actors shape the structure and function of social systems. Informal social networks—homogeneous spaces based on shared social and cultural characteristic —play a crucial role in the emergence and persistence of irregular migration, particularly among Georgian migrants in Italy. This study employs a qualitative case study approach focusing on the years 2017–2020. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with irregular Georgian migrants residing in Italy. Content analysis was applied within the theoretical framework of network theory and symbolic interactionism. The research demonstrates that the idea and practices of irregular migration are primarily generated and transmitted within informal social networks composed of individuals connected by similarities in age, class, and social background. These networks are characterized by tight bonds, mutual trust, and strong norms of reciprocity—often encapsulated in the Georgian idiom, “a hand washes a hand.” The data also support Mark Granovetter’s theory on the strength of weak ties, as the diffusion of diverse and updated information is enabled by more expansive and loosely connected networks (Granovetter, 1973). Such networks serve as vital mechanisms for adaptation and social integration within host countries. In addition, formal institutional supports—such as Georgian Orthodox churches, clergy, and diaspora associations—were found to supplement informal networks in facilitating irregular migration and social support. Informal social networks not only facilitate the decision-making and implementation processes of irregular migration but also create a parallel system of migration management. Their legitimacy and capacity for resource exchange make them a foundational component in sustaining irregular migration as an institutionalized practice.