Mapping Mexican migrant civil society

This paper “maps” the diverse patterns of Mexican migrant social, civic and political participation in the US, reviews current research and poses analytical questions informed by a binational perspective. While some migrants are more engaged with organizations focused on the US, others participate more in groups that are concerned with Mexico. At the same time, some Mexican migrants are working to become full members of both US and Mexican society, constructing practices of "civic binationality" that have a great deal to teach us about new forms of immigrant integration into US society. These different forms of participation are analyzed through the conceptual lens of “migrant civil society,” which includes four migrant-led arenas: membership organizations, NGOs, communications media and autonomous public spheres. This focus could help to understand changing patterns of naturalization among Mexican permanent residents, and can help to inform balanced cross-sectoral coalition-building strategies. More generally, a binational approach can help to understand migrants’ distinctive perspectives, priorities and organizing repertoires -- in other words, “where they are coming from.”