Two Strategies

• Hispanic/Latino

• Mexican-Binational

Historical Evolution: Two Strategies& Two Networks

A. Becoming Latino → Historic and on-going process • Territorial minority post-1848 • Second generation +, successive waves of immigration

B. Remaining Mexican → Recurring, episodic process • Each new large wave of Mexican immigrants • Attitude of Mexican govt to emigrants/diaspora

A. Becoming Latino

• Early status: Territorial minority, distancing from Mexico

• Later status: U.S. ethnic group similar to Irish-Americans, German-Americans, Chinese Americans

• Goals: political and socioeconomic empowerment, national representation

• Issues: protecting land grants, voting rights, civil rights, desegregation, jobs, education, immigration reform

• Language & national identity: English, sometimes exaggerated sense of American patriotism, pan-ethnicity

• Early status: Immigrants in Texas, California, close association with Mexico

• Later status: Transnational migrantes, often associated with HTAs and CC-IME

• Goals: Maintaining connection with Mexico - Cultural practices - Supporting Mexico - Promoting hometown development - Lobbying Mexican govt

• Activities/issues: Fiestas patrias, Juntas Patrióticas, 3 x 1, Voto exterior, U.S. immigration reform

• Language & national identity: Spanish, remaining Mexican, links to Mexican Consulates, other govt offices

Mexican-born

• Migrante Criticisms of Latinos

• Differences on Immigration

• Advocacy vs. Services

• Mexican Organizational Separatism

• Similarities on Immigration

• Education Top Priority

• Obstacles to Mexico Relationship

• Mexican Government Attitude

• Hispanic/Latino Identity

• Pro-Mexico Lobby

• Guest Worker Program

• National “Mexican” Organization

Mexican-binational strategy:transitional or here to stay?

Spread of the Chicago Model?

Hillary & Latinos / Obama & migrantes

Continued role of Mexican government

Political competition and integration