“I Was One of Them”: The Journey of Return Migrants Becoming Subagents in Kerala’s Recruitment Networks “I Was One of Them”: The Journey of Return Migrants Becoming Subagents in Kerala’s Recruitment Networks

• Published in: Journal of international migration and integration Vol. 26; no. 2; pp. 743 - 770
• Main Authors: Bhattacharjee, Anurupa, Thomas, Princy
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.06.2025; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Blue collar workers; Demography; Empathy; Ethics; Exploitation; False information; Human capital; Immigration policy; Labor migration; Migrant workers; Migrants; Migration; Mobility; Population Economics; Qualitative research; Recruitment; Reliability; Return migration; Sense of purpose; Social capital; Social networks; Social Sciences; Sociology; Workforce; Kerala India; India; Return migrants; Subagents; Recruitment networks; Blue-collar migration; Kerala
• ISSN: 1488-3473; 1874-6365
• DOI: 10.1007/s12134-025-01243-3

Kerala has long been a prominent hub for international labour migration, with a unique phenomenon of return migrants transitioning into subagents supporting blue-collar workers navigating recruitment networks. These returnees leverage their personal migration journeys to address challenges faced by prospective migrants. Yet, little is known about what motivates them to assume this role and how they contribute to the broader migration process. This qualitative study examines the lived experiences of return migrants turned subagents, shedding light on their motivations and the ripple effects of their work on migration systems. Drawing on 22 in-depth interviews, the findings reveal three interconnected themes: (1) utilizing lived migration experiences to build empathy and trust; (2) creating a bridge between aspirants and recruitment agencies through cultural and procedural expertise; and (3) fostering a sense of purpose by addressing systemic challenges they once faced. These insights demonstrate how return migrants’ unique positionality enhances recruitment efficiency and reliability, offering micro-level support to migrants and meso-level improvements to recruitment systems. This study contributes to the growing literature on migration facilitation by highlighting the transformative role of return migrants in reshaping recruitment practices, with implications for migration policy, workforce mobility, and sustainable recruitment frameworks.