Qualitative Longitudinal Analysis of Labor and Migration Trajectories of Spaniards in Mexico City and London; Análisis longitudinal cualitativo de las trayectorias migratorio-laborales de españoles en Ciudad de México y Londres

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the development of the labor and migratory trajectories of Spanish migrants in Mexico City and London in relation to the contextual changes that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. To this end, qualitative longitudinal research was developed in which biographical interviews were carried out with 43 Spaniards with migratory experience in the destination cities during two separate observation periods. It was found that, faced with the changing contextual conditions derived from the COVID-19 pandemic and the feeling of uncertainty linked to this situation, these matters activated alternative plans and projects (migratory and biographical), exercising a kind of anticipatory agency. This research contributes to understanding strategies and responses of certain types of migrants amid the sanitary crisis resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, based on discussions related to social anticipation and human agency in crisis contexts, from a biographical perspective.