Migration, population resilience, prejudice, discrimination, anti-Gypsy/Roma sentiment
by Dr Cristian Tileaga, Loughborough University and Salomea Popoviciu, Ruhama Foundation, Romania
International migration leaves some of the most vulnerable groups unprotected, especially groups whose own aspirations to mobility and freedom of movement are persistently construed as anomalous. A 2018-19 community-informed study of experiences of migration to the UK funded by the Higher Education Innovation Fund in collaboration with Ruhama Foundation explored the UK migration experiences of Gypsy/Roma groups.
Gypsy/Roma participants reported positive experiences of migration to the UK. However, substantial challenges were also present. Among the most important, language barriers, fears about prejudice and job inequality leave Gypsy/Roma families open to acculturative stress and difficulty adjusting to the host culture. Many Gypsy/Roma people experience highly insecure environments in the UK. Access to housing, education, health provision, is usually limited. Employment opportunities are inadequate and mostly in precarious roles.
Experiences of prejudice and discrimination further erode the confidence and resilience of Roma/Gypsy migrants. Roma/Gypsy racism is the last acceptable form of racism in European societies.
The Higher Education Innovation Fund project highlighted the importance of migration advice for vulnerable Roma/Gypsy groups to help with informed migration decisions that may lead to more controllable outcomes for vulnerable individuals and families. Isolation, and, in some cases, extreme poverty, are, unfortunately, much too often, outcomes of a less predictable process of migration. This project also highlighted the importance of channelling the Gypsy/Roma diaspora as a resource for newly arrived migrants and the key role of Gypsy/Roma-led community groups that should take an active role in making migrants aware of their rights, responsibilities and entitlements.
Two reports written in collaboration with Ruhama discuss the broader context of Roma mobilities and population resilience in uncertain political times and the experiences of men, women and young people from Roma communities who have experienced the benefits and challenges of migrating to Britain.
Post-Brexit opens up further avenues for new knowledge-transfer and community partnerships in the area of Gypsy/Roma migration and mobilities. The creation of a Roma Migration Network was the first step toward new partnerships between academics at Loughborough University and external partners with a wealth of experience of working with and within Roma communities.
Links and resources:
Report 1: Roma Community Perspectives on Migration to the UK
Report 2: Drivers of Roma Migration: Understanding Migration in Politically Uncertain Times