Transnational families. (Un)doing family in the migration regime

Objective: This study investigates the challenges and dynamics in the creation and maintenance of transnational families within the migration regime. Background: While previous research has primarily examined transnational families from the perspective of labor migrants, it has overlooked the experiences of refugees. This study shows that, under conditions of flight and asylum, transnational family relationships are often accompanied by significant challenges. Based on the theoretical framework of (un)doing family, which we link to the scholarship on refugee and forced migration as well as transnationalism, we highlight how families are separated, struggle with reunification, cope with transnational responsibility and conflicts in extended families. Method: Qualitative interviews were conducted with over 80 "refugees" from Somalia in Germany. Transcripts were analyzed category-based to reveal the interdependencies of (un)doing and displaying family. Results: In this specific context of restricted movement and the complex interplay of local and transnational family dynamics, it is shown how restrictions on the organizational level of doing family influence the possibilities for constructing a sense of we at the symbolic level, and vice versa. These dynamics lead to the pressure of doing a nuclear family unit. Conclusion: The article exemplifies how the migration regime can be integrated into the analysis of transnational doing family.