Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan pilihan rasional eks TKI ilegal memilih melalui jalur ilegal dalam bekerja di luar negeri. Lokasi penelitian berada di tiga Kecamatan Kabupaten Malang, yaitu Kecamatan Gondanglegi, Kecamatan Turen, dan Kecamatan Pagelaran. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan menggunakan perspektif teori pilihan rasional James Coleman. Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa eks TKI ilegal memilih bekerja di luar negeri berdasarkan dua pertimbangan, yaitu pertimbangan internal dan pertimbangan eksternal. Pertimbangan internal meliputi beberapa faktor, antara lain yaitu faktor ekonomi, kepercayaan yang terjalin antara TKI illegal, keluarga, dan agen penyalur, pendidikan yang ditempuh, serta resiko yang dihadapi oleh eks TKI illegal baik di negara asal maupun di negara tujuan. Sedangkan pertimbangan eksternal meliputi hubungan relasi keluarga, adanya agen penyalur, budaya masyarakat setempat, serta modus operandi eks TKI illegal ke luar negeri. Disamping itu eks TKI illegal bekerja di luar negeri juga memiliki maksud dan tujuan lain, yaitu peningkatan status sosial, kehormatan, prestise, dan penghargaan.  

Kata Kunci: Eks TKI Ilegal, pertimbangan internal eksternal

The study aims to describe the rational choices of ex-illegal migrant workers through illegal pathways in working abroad. The research site is located in three districts of Malang, namely Gondanglegi subdistrict, Turen subdistrict, and Pagelaran subdistrict. The study used a qualitative approach by using the perspective of James Coleman's rational choice theory. The results of this research show that ex-illegal migrant workers are choosing to work abroad based on two considerations, namely internal considerations and external considerations. Internal considerations include several factors, such as economic factors, trust that is intertwined between TKI illegal, family, and distributors, education pursued, as well as the risks faced by the ex TKI illegal in both the home country and destination country. While external considerations include family relationships, the presence of a dealer, local people culture, and modus operandi ex illegal migrant workers abroad. Besides, ex TKI illegal working abroad also have the intention and other objectives, namely increased social status, honor, prestige, and appreciation.  

Keyword: ex TKI illegal, external internal considerations