Illegal immigrants in Sabah, Malaysia: the roles of social networks, and gender differences

Abstract

Immigration control is a global challenge, and yet not one country has developed a reliable, workable and acceptable legal immigration plan that eliminates illegal immigration. The standard response to illegal immigration is to increase border enforcement and to tighten the immigration laws and rules. There has been little recognition that the social networks created by immigrants contribute to mass illegal immigration. This paper investigates the social networks that exist among illegal immigrants in Sabah, Malaysia. Specifically, it explores how social networks emerge, develop, facilitate, and sustain the flow of migrants from the source countries to the receiving country. The aim of this paper is to understand the role of social networks, particularly those based on family, friendship and community ties. It is important to investigate the social networks of migrants since they provide social capital to the prospective migrants. Social networks could also reduce migration's financial and social costs and risks by providing the new migrant with valuable information, job contacts, and other resources. To demonstrate that social networks and gender differences are essential elements for understanding the migration process, this study incorporates social networks perspective and gender perspective. Data collection is based on the qualitative method. Because international migration risks are tremendous, labor market information is costly and scarce, and the risks for crossing the international borders are high, the roles of migrant social networks are crucial in Sabah.