Assuming Reintegration, Experiencing Dislocation – Returns from Europe to Afghanistan

Decisions on the return of Afghans from Europe are often based on the perceived support that communities of return and social networks can provide. This assumption shapes court decisions over asylum cases and is factored in assistance packages upon return. It is assumed that social networks will act as a “safety net” for returnee. However, recent evidence on post‐return outcomes shows that migrants’ social networks may not provide them with the resources they need to reintegrate their country of origin.

While the role of social networks in destination contexts has been extensively studied, this article shows that social networks may not act as facilitators of reintegration, but as barriers to this process. Taking the case study of returns from Europe to Afghanistan, the article concludes on the weak ties and broken bond between individual returnees and communities, further speaking of a process of community dislocation upon return. Policy and practice need to unpack the concept of “community of return” as a community may simply not exist, have changed or be unable to act as a source of support for returnees from Europe.

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