Making Home in the Euro-Caribbean

Making Home in the Euro-Caribbean delves into the intricate dynamics of Dominican migration within the Caribbean, focusing on how receiving society characteristics alongside immigrants' preferences shape feelings of home. This pioneering study shifts the spotlight from the well-trodden paths of migration to Western Europe and North America, offering a fresh perspective on intra-Caribbean, South-South migration flows. It situates Curaçao as a semi-peripheral setting—geographically part of the Global South while institutionally embedded within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Providing an in-depth analysis, author Sabrina Dinmohamed focuses on Dominican immigrants in Curaçao, a unique case study due to minimal immigration policies, constrained social services, the long-standing presence of Dominicans on the island, their institutionalized cultural practices, and their visible impact on the local landscape. The book argues that the settlement experiences and home feelings of South-South migrants are distinct from those of South-North migrants, influenced by different economic and socio-cultural conditions. The book further challenges the assumption that Caribbean migrants primarily view Overseas Countries and Territories as stepping stones to Europe. Instead, it shows how migration aspirations are shaped by considerations of proximity, familiarity, and local perceptions of success. By examining these nuanced relationships, the book enriches the broader literature on migration flows and contributes valuable insights into immigrant experiences in receiving societies.

This study not only enhances theoretical discourse on immigrant settlement but also informs societal and political debates about immigrants in the Caribbean. It advocates for a more respectful and informed approach to understanding regional migrants through lived experiences. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary migration studies and the complexities of homemaking in migration contexts.

Sabrina Dinmohamed is an anthropologist and migration scholar. She has worked in Curaçao and the Netherlands, researching migration and integration issues in the Caribbean and in Europe. She is the founder of the Centre for Research of Caribbean Migration which focuses on Caribbean migration and post-migration experiences of Caribbean immigrants. She currently works as a senior advisor to the Social and Economic Council of Curaçao.