Abstract

This paper critically assesses the relationship between migrants and the state, and public social policy, in both sending and receiving country. We analyze the extent to which Nicaraguan migrant families on both sides of the Costa Rica–Nicaragua migration system incorporate public social protection in their welfare strategies. Drawing on two sets of qualitative data, we find that, on both sides of the border, migrants and their families display very similar commodified practices of welfare strategies, side-stepping the state and purchasing services in the private sector.

Keywords migration; remittances; healthcare; legality; social services; bureaucracy