Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Faculty Publications Article Faculty Publications -Articles Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Bhattacharjee, Anurupa; Thomas, Princy Title A name given to the resource I Was One of Them: The Journey of Return Migrants Becoming Subagents in Keralas Recruitment Networks Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 01-01-2025 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Journal of International Migration and Integration;Volume;26;Issue;2;pp.743-770 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s12134-025-01243-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://doi.org/10.1007/s12134-025-01243-3</a> <br /><br /><a href="https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85218706405?origin=resultslist" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85218706405?origin=resultslist</a> Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Bhattacharjee A., Department of Sociology and Social Work, CHRIST (Deemed to Be University), Bengaluru, India; Thomas P., Department of Sociology and Social Work, CHRIST (Deemed to Be University), Bengaluru, India Description An account of the resource Kerala has long been a prominent hub for international labour migration, with a unique phenomenon of return migrants transitioning into subagents supporting blue-collar workers navigating recruitment networks. These returnees leverage their personal migration journeys to address challenges faced by prospective migrants. Yet, little is known about what motivates them to assume this role and how they contribute to the broader migration process. This qualitative study examines the lived experiences of return migrants turned subagents, shedding light on their motivations and the ripple effects of their work on migration systems. Drawing on 22 in-depth interviews, the findings reveal three interconnected themes: (1) utilizing lived migration experiences to build empathy and trust; (2) creating a bridge between aspirants and recruitment agencies through cultural and procedural expertise; and (3) fostering a sense of purpose by addressing systemic challenges they once faced. These insights demonstrate how return migrants unique positionality enhances recruitment efficiency and reliability, offering micro-level support to migrants and meso-level improvements to recruitment systems. This study contributes to the growing literature on migration facilitation by highlighting the transformative role of return migrants in reshaping recruitment practices, with implications for migration policy, workforce mobility, and sustainable recruitment frameworks. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2025. Subject The topic of the resource Blue-collar migration; Kerala; Recruitment networks; Return migrants; Subagents Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Springer Science and Business Media B.V. Relation A related resource ISSN: 14883473; Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Article Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource online