Refuge
Volume 30, Issue 1, 2014, Pages 81-92

"Waiting for a wife": Transnational marriages and the social dimensions of refugee "integration" (Article)

Brunner L.R.* , Hyndman J. , Mountz A.
  • a University of British Columbia, Canada
  • b Departments of Social Science and Geography, Canada, Centre for Refugee Studies, York University, Canada
  • c Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada

Abstract

This paper addresses the gap in research on the social dimensions of refugee resettlement. This is accomplished by examining refugee belonging and definitions of "integration" through a case study of Acehnese refugees resettled in Vancouver, British Columbia, between 2004 and 2006. We analyze findings based on a survey and in-depth interviews conducted five years after resettlement. Our findings suggest that recently resettled groups like the Acehnese, who are "new and few," face specific integration challenges. Importantly, the lengthy timelines to enact sponsorship of a spouse and/ or family reunification from Aceh unwittingly inhibit the social integration of the sponsors waiting in Canada.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Canada Asian immigrant refugee British Columbia marriage Vancouver [British Columbia]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84902786811&partnerID=40&md5=9a647342d158681420d0c4b6780e5af7
ISSN: 02295113
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English