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Chapter Three: Latino Immigrants: Transnationalism, Patterns of Multiple Citizenships, and Social Capital
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t h r e e Latino Immigrants Transnationalism, Patterns of Multiple Citizenships, and Social Capital J o h n A . G a r ci a Studies of immigration have centered on the flows, nature, impact, and adaptation of immigrants on the economic, sociocultural, and political life of the receiving countries. In addition, the formation of immigrant communities and the social networks they utilize serve to facilitate economic , political, and sociocultural transactions. More recently, the concept of transnationalism has received greater attention as to the patterns, extensiveness, and impact of binational connections among immigrants with their home country/communities and residence in the United States (Alger 1997). One of the potential consequences of this phenomenon is the creation of multiple citizenships and attachments. For example, individuals can be engaged in the civic affairs of both their countries of origin as well as their current country of residence. This chapter explores the major components of the concept of transnationalism with emphasis on the political connections and ramifications of exercising these sustained activities in both countries (Foner 1997). More specifically, this study focuses on the consequences of 107 108 ■ John A. Garcia transnational interactions on the civic life of Mexican immigrants residing in the Chicago metropolitan area. Our use of the concept of transnationalism indicates a sustained range of interactions and exchanges that transcends national boundaries and is maintained by a system of social networks and institutional structures (Portes et al. 1999). These transactions occur between individuals and communities, capital flows, trade, citizenship affiliations and activities, political incorporation, inter-governmental organizations, social movements, familial ties, identities , and policy influence. For our purposes here, this chapter examines Chicago Latino immigrants and their transnational activities. We look specifically at the civic and political engagement of Mexican immigrants who maintain transnational ties with their country of origin. We then examine the extent and nature of their transnational networks that have relevance for community civic involvement in both the countries of residence and origin. By doing so, we are introducing the idea of multiple citizenships as our transnational participants are engaging in civic and political activities on both sides of the border. This deviates from an emphasis on economic and sociocultural exchanges usually associated with transnationalism (Garcia 2012; Brubaker 1996). Our exploration of the effects of transnational involvement among Mexican immigrants looks at forms of civic engagement, political activities and influencing, and the development of social capital skills in the United States (see Glick Schiller 1996; DeWind and Kasinitz 1997). In addition, we will profile what types of Mexicanos engage in transnational activities and to what extent . For the most part, the extant research has examined primarily the transnational relationship between immigrants and their country of origin and “hometown” and familial ties. The objective of this study is to identify, measure, and relate transnationalism among Latino immigrants to indicators of civic engagement in their U.S. communities. Transnationalism, Migration, and Political Citizenship The study of transnationalism has included the regular contacts or interactions with one’s country of origin in a variety of different eco- Latino Immigrants ■ 109 nomic, political, and sociocultural exchanges. Some necessary conditions would include: (1) a significant portion of the immigrant and national origin community members are involved in the exchanges; (2) the activities are not fleeting, but are relatively stable; and (3) the content of interactions are not captured by preexisting concepts (Levitt 2001; Morawska 2001). Using this definition, the transnational phenomenon could include activities related to an immigrant’s occupation and activities that require regular contact that are sustained over time across national boundaries . For example, immigrant entrepreneurs rely on transnational ties for goods, products, and other materials from their home country to conduct their business. Other businesses provide services such as travel planning and tickets and custom brokerage services that are dependent on ongoing transnational connections. The majority of these transactions occur with familial networks such that remittances and other means of economic assistance take place from the United States to family members in one’s country of origin (Goldring 1996; Hannerz 1996). Resultant activities of transnationalism include the idea of a trade diaspora, circular migration, multiple identities, and mechanisms for immigrant adaptation, expanding the asset base for U.S. residence and in country of origin, as well as developing social capital skills (Eckstein and Barberia 2002). The creation of hometown associations facilitates and directs a wide range of transnational interactions. In addition to direct familial assistance, group sponsored public projects (that is, infrastructure and public works projects, creation of...