MIGRATION AND RECONSTRUCTION OF IDENTITY

The write-up explores the relationship between migration and reconstruction of identity. Available data from stylized facts and empirical literatures suggest that migration seems to have an influence on the reconstruction of the identity. The reconstruction of migrant’s identity may be influenced by economic, political, educational, and demographic as well as policy formulations and implementation from host communities as it pertains to migration and integration of migrants. The critical issues involved in identity reconstruction are the role of group leadership, representation and the size of the ethnic groups in question. The perception of migrant communities as threats to the identity of the host communities and by extension a threat to internal and national security poses a huge challenge for the reconstruction of identity. One probable ways of resolving the conflicting signals and messages may lie in constant dialogue and mutual give and take between the migrant and host communities.