Report reveals challenges facing transnational families

A new report from the University of Reading brings to light the unique and often overlooked challenges faced by families living across national borders.

As transnational families grow in number due to migration, they face restrictive immigration policies, language barriers and limitations on their social rights. These jeopardize their ability to provide care, both for family members they live with, and for kin living in other countries.

This report marks an important milestone for the Transnational Families in Europe research project, led by Ruth Evans, Professor of Human Geography, University of Reading, and Rosa Mas Giralt, Visiting Researcher, School of Geography, University of Leeds.

Drawing on in-depth interviews and case studies from 122 transnational families in the U.K., France, Spain, and Sweden, the report examines the difficulties families face in meeting care needs and the impact of caregiving on the well-being of family members. It also urges policymakers to recognize these challenges and provide more inclusive and supportive frameworks, empowering families to thrive across borders.

Caring in a transnational world

As more people migrate or are displaced due to conflict or socio-political instability, families become separated across borders. While family members try to continue to care for each other, policy barriers, financial costs and existing social inequalities undermine their ability to access social care, health, education and other services.

While caring for a family member may foster resilience, it can also have significant negative impacts on education and/or employment opportunities, finances, family relationships, social participation, health and well-being.

Digital connections and access to services

Digital tools have become indispensable for transnational families to access essential health care, social services and education. However, these platforms often require digital literacy that may be lacking among older family members or those with limited language skills.

Younger family members, more proficient in digital technology, frequently assume roles as “digital brokers,” handling online forms and appointments on behalf of their parents and grandparents. This responsibility can burden younger family members and raises ethical concerns around privacy and confidentiality.

The burden of language brokering and inconsistent ESOL access

The report further emphasizes the pressure placed on young people to act as interpreters, or “language brokers,” for their parents or other relatives, especially in health care settings. Children and teenagers may be required to interpret medical information or fill out forms, a task that can be stressful and ethically complex.

This issue is exacerbated by inconsistent access to English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes for adults. The report finds that limited funding, travel costs, and childcare needs prevent many adult family members from accessing ESOL courses, which could reduce their reliance on their children in navigating language barriers.

Restrictive family reunion visas and their impact on care

The report also underscores how family reunion immigration restrictions pose a major obstacle to transnational families in need of in-person support. Stringent eligibility requirements and prolonged waiting times prevent many families from reuniting, even in cases where close family members require care.

These restrictions jeopardize the well-being of families, complicate caregiving responsibilities and place additional strain on the remaining members. The study suggests that reducing these restrictions could have a positive impact on the health and well-being of transnational families.

Policy recommendations for a transnational world

Based on these findings, the report calls for targeted policy interventions to support transnational families more effectively.

For example, the report recommends that the U.K. government invest in expanded, long-term funding for ESOL classes and reduce the cost and complexity of applying for family reunion visas and fast-track where there are care needs.

Additionally, there is a call to provide more inclusive support in accessing public services and address the digital divide to support those who find it difficult to navigate digital platforms for health care and other essential services.

Policymakers are urged to recognize and alleviate the responsibilities placed on young people who act as informal interpreters for their families. Expanding access to qualified translators and interpreters, and improving digital infrastructure would alleviate young people’s caring roles and ensure safer, more inclusive access to services for migrants.