Abstract:

Since the beginning of the 2000s there has been an increasing interest in literature in the crossroads between integration and transnational migration (Erdal, 2013; Faist, 2013; Kivisto, 2003; Levitt, DeWind & Vertovec, 2003). Faist (2013) suggests that integration and transnational migration should be seen as interrelated concepts and defines transnational activities as an alternative model to integration. This article focuses on the integration processes and strategies of African migrants in Istanbul, examining the impact of transnational social spaces on the integration processes. Since the late 1990s, Turkey has become a transition and settlement for migrants from various Sahra-Saharan African countries. The majority of African migrants who come to Turkey with the aim of migration to Europe are unable to their goals and have lived in Turkey for many years. African immigrants from different African countries have different immigration status. African immigrants residing in Turkey have different immigrant status, such as refugees, short-term visas, work or student visas and uncertain immigrants who have legally entered the country but have not renewed their visas. Some African migrants have lived in Turkey for six months, while others have lived in Turkey for a decade or more. The socio-cultural and economic areas they form during their stay in Turkey ensure the continuation of their ties with the countries. In this study, the influence on the integration processes of the transnational social spaces created by African migrants living in Istanbul was explained in the framework of the findings obtained by deep-to-face talks with 40 African migrants and it was claimed that transnational social spaces have accelerated the integration processes.

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