Trajectories of migration, social networks and emergent landscapes of migrant work

This article investigates the formation and impact of trajectories of international migration to (and within) the south-west of England immediately after the accession of the 'A8' states to the European Union. In-depth interviews with international migrants to the south-west of England reveal a rich and dynamic landscape of work and migration which helps to shape and reproduce certain trajectories of migration. Whilst such trajectories imply a notable division of opportunity for international migrants to the region, such effects cannot simply be reduced to differences in relative levels of skills and education. Furthermore, these initial routes have long-term effects, limiting what individual migrants may achieve and reinforcing existing routes for future migrants. Significantly, this suggests the importance of unpredictable and fluid interplay of different 'forces' within a local context-a complex and iterative (re)production of a dynamic social system-rather than the existence of stable (but bifurcated) labour market outcomes for international migrants.