Abstract

ESCAMILLA HAMM, Patricia H.. De cómo el transnacionalismo facilita la participación de los inmigrantes mexicanos en la política estadounidense. Migr. desarro [online]. 2009, n.12, pp.89-114. ISSN 1870-7599.

This study examines the impact of political transnationalism on Mexican immigrants' participation in U.S. politics. The main argument is that involvement in Mexican politics -transnationalism- does not impede engagement in the U.S. political system, as critics claim. On the contrary, it facilitates and complements political participation in the United States. Drawing from the literature on transnationalism and theories of political participation, this study proposes that transnational activities -like lobbying and membership in immigrant organizations- offer opportunities to develop civic-political skills and experience that immigrants may in turn use in the U.S. political arena. By exploring the case of Mexican immigrants and organizations involved in the lobbying campaign on behalf of absentee-voting laws in Mexico (1998-2006), it identifies the abilities and practice acquired by participants and the ways in which they have used them to influence U.S. processes and issues. This work contributes to the literature by shedding light on themes that have not been previously examined from this perspective and by lending support to previous findings -especially the evidence that political transnationalists are habitually not detached from U.S. politics and, in fact, are inclined to participate.

Keywords : Mexican immigrants; political participation; U.S. politics; hometown associations; mexican politics.