As trajetórias individuais de migrantes internacionais recentes no município de Santa Cruz do Sul - RS/Brasil.

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the social and economic constructions of migrants in the medium size city of Santa Cruz do Sul-RS, from their individual paths. Specifically, it seeks to analyze how the individual paths of international migrants occur in a medium-sized city such as Santa Cruz do Sul, to identify the origin, socioeconomic conditions and experiences of these migrants, as well as to elucidate the different stages that mark the individual trajectories and narratives of these research subjects. Therefore, theoretical studies on migration and its relationship with the territory were conducted, as well as a qualitative research, using the Structural Theory as a method of approach. The research, focused on the various stages of the migratory process – period prior to the displacement of the localities of origin, departure and installation in the city of Santa Cruz do Sul, the stage of life in the city and projections for the future – consisted of data collection, through individual and in-depth semi-structured interviews. Among the selection criteria were aspects such as age, gender, education, job specialization, income and place of residence. Thus, it is clear that the difficulties in the migrants' trajectory, as well as the sense of belonging and the possibilities of returning manifest themselves in different ways among the interviewees, showing that both the direct migration process and the migratory project may vary according to the individual characteristics of each migrant. Also, the analysis suggests that the reasons for leaving the country of origin are similar, but that the possibilities of returning are different, showing the subjectivity of such migratory movements. There are concerns about the economic situation, but there is also the search for a better quality of life, tranquility and closeness to the family. Another point identified in the research concerns migrant women, who face a context of greater instability fragility, facing uncertainties about the professional future. Thus, in this work, it was possible to observe points of convergence and divergence among migrants, most of these points being studied in the light of individual trajectories and depending on the structural conditions they faced. The territorial approach and consideration of the diversity of situations highlight the need to give adequate place to migration, given the importance of these migrants in socioeconomic development and their decisive role for the future of the territories.