The role of relationship networks in migration movements from Iran to Turkey: The case of Yalova

It is a fact that Turkey has been affected by various migration movements in recent years, both as a destination and transit country. Especially as a result of some developments in border countries; Turkey has become welcoming more and more individuals who travel to emigrate from different countries as migrants or asylum-seekers within its borders. At this point, Iranians are one of the various migrant groups iin Turkey. The subject of this study is the relationship networks of Iranian migrants in Yalova. In this direction, the main purpose of this study is based on relationship network theory, which is one of the theories of contemporary international migration; To understand how and to what extent these migrants' relationship networks are effective in making the decision of Iranian migrants to emigrate, preffering to come to Turkey in general and Yalova in particular, in the process of building a new life for themselves in Yalova, whether temporary or permanent, in their daily lives and in their relationships and their organizations with each other. For this purpose, the relationship networks of Iranian migrants were examined by using qualitative research methods and techniques. In the field research carried out within the scope of the study, in-depth interviews were conducted with 14 Iranian migrants reached by snowball sampling technique. In addition, the observation technique was used along with in-depth interviews during the field research, and the data of the study were obtained through in-depth interviews and observation techniques used in the field, in addition to the literature review on the subject. According to the findings, it is understood that Iranian migrants migrated mostly due to a number of political and social factors in Iran. While it is understood that Iranian migrants consider various reasons why they prefer to come to Turkey; It turned out that the relationship networks in Yalova were mainly influential in their choice to come to Yalova. In addition, it is another finding that Iranian migrants have benefited from the opportunities provided to them in various ways by their relationship networks. However, despite all this; It has been understood that Iranian migrants mostly stay in their own close circles, in small and limited networks, mostly develop superficial relations with other Iranians in Yalova in their daily lives, and their interactions with each other are limited; In this direction, it has been revealed that Iranian migrants develop mostly weak ties with each other and do not have a general appearance of community and organization in the context of Yalova.