The Networked Undocumented Immigration in Tete Province: A Perspective of The Migrant Network Theory

Migrant social networks play an important role in migration processes. There are two main channels through which migrant networks influence individual choices towards individual as well as network welfare: through sharing information about individual and network welfare and these are through established social norms. These are particularly through intercountry kins friends and clandestine networks. Studies on migrant social networks conducted in Mozambique are rare and available studies offer limited insights into how these networks facilitate entry, settlement as well migrating out of Tete Province. A qualitative dominant mixed methods study was employed. Three hundred and sixty one undocumented immigrants took part in answering the survey questionnaire and 18 participants were interviewed on the qualitative part whereas eight unplanned focus group discussions were held with a heterogeneous number of participants. Migrant social networks shaped the mode of travel, pattern of entry, attempts to legitimise entry, settlement as well as exiting Tete Province to South Africa. Given the findings, there is a case for a proactive and coherent management of undocumented migration and calling for a serious rethink of what SADC minsters have proposed in the past. Resolving undocumented immigration must not be the role of the Mozambican authorities alone. It is also the responsibility for states in the sub-region to take appropriate measures since the undocumented immigrants tend to cross international borders through social networks.