Changing Statuses: Freedom of Movement, Locality and Transnationality of Irregular Romanian Migrants in Milan

In this study I analyse the ways in which the EU policy of freedom of movement ‘from above’ influences migration and the transnationalism of the Romanian migrants in Milan, Italy. In the dominant US-based literature on transnationalism, ‘from above’ factors influencing migrants’ transnationalism have typically been centred on the role of global capital and/or nation-states’ policies. In Europe, however, EU supranational policies are also a significant factor. In this respect the Romanian case is emblematic. Up to a certain point, Romanians moved irregularly to Italy, but after a few years, due to Romania's accession to the EU, Romanians are free to travel in Europe. This has deeply influenced migration and migrants’ transnationalism. To highlight the differences, comparisons are drawn between transnationalism in Europe and the case of Mexican migration to the United States. In particular, the paper analyses how irregular migration has been developing between a Romanian town and Milan and how a corresponding transnational space has emerged. I analyse the emergence of migrants’ locality in Milan and how the locality of origin is changing under the impact of migrants’ transnational practices. I also indicate how freedom of movement influences all of these.