Mexican Hometown Associations: A Model of Economic Cooperation between Diasporas and Homeland

1
Mexican Hometown AssociationsA Model of
Economic Cooperationbetween Diasporas and
Homeland

• RAFAEL ALARCÓN

2
Hometown Associations (HTAs)

• philanthropic organizations of Mexican
  immigrants to raise money in the US to benefit
  their communities in Mexico
• based on social networks established by
  community members of the same rural locality of
  origin in Mexico

3

• HTAs raise money in the United States through the
  organization of dances, beauty pageants, raffles,
  picnics, rodeos, membership dues and private
  donations
• Increasingly, HTAs are approaching foundations

4
Elizabeth Garibay Briseño. Señorita Zacatecas -
Los Angeles. Quiet Cannon Ball Room.
Montebello, California. November 12,
2003.http//www.federacionzacatecana.org/
5
HTAs invest in

• Public Infrastructure
• Construction or renovations of roads, bridges,
  parks, churches, schools, sport facilities,
  streets, etc.
• Social Projects
• - Support of health care clinics, childcare
  centers, convalescents homes for the elderly.
• - Donation of ambulances, medical and school
  supplies, educational grants, etc.

6
Factors leading to the formation of HTAs

• Rural origin of an immigrant community in the
  US
• Long migratory tradition
• Strong settlement process in the US

7
Legal Immigration from Mexico to the U.S. by Sex
Source Immigration and Naturalization Service,
2000
8
Role of Governments

• Active role of state governments
• - The HTA model was created by the Federation
  of Zacatecan Clubs of Southern California.
• - Governor Borrego from Zacatecas visited the
  Federation in Los Angeles in 1986 and signed and
  agreement.

9
The Federation of Zacatecan Clubs of Southern
California and the Zacatecas Government created
the Two-for One program that later became the
Three-for- One program. In this program the
Federal, State and Municipal Governments
each contribute a dollar for each dollar raised
by HTAs for community development.
10
Participation of the Federal Government

• In 1990 the Federal Government created the
  Program for Mexican Communities Abroad within the
  Foreign Ministry that operated through the
  consular network in the United States.
• This led to the creation of many HTAs and
  Federations throughout the US.

11
Institute of Mexicans Abroad

• In 2003, the Mexican government established a
  Council of Advisors to the Institute of Mexicans
  Abroad (IME) within the structure of the
  Secretary of Foreign Relations.
• This Council of Advisors is composed of 100
  Mexican migrants from different walks of life,
  including leaders of Federations of HTAs.
• The IME is the main conduit of the relationship
  with Mexican immigrants in the US.

12
Mexican Migration to the US by Sending Region
Northern Region
Traditional Sending Region
Central Region
South and South-East Region
Source CONAPO, 2000
13
Most important Federations of HTAs in 2003

• Federation of Zacatecan Clubs of Southern
  California 82 HTAs. This federation was founded
  in the mid-1960s and became institutionalized in
  the mid-1980s
• Federation of Jalisco Clubs 82 HTAs - founded
  in 1991
• Oaxacan Federation of Indigenous Communities and
  Organizations in California (FOCOICA) 32
  organizations founded in 2001
• 
  Source Rivera Salgado and Escala
  Rabadan, 2004

14
Table 4 Mexican Migrant Clubs and Federations in
Los Angeles (1998-2003)  
Mexican Migrant Clubs and Federations in Los
Angeles (1998-2003)

• Source Rivera Salgado and Escala Rabadan, 2004

 
15
Final Considerations

• How unique is the model created by Mexican HTAs?
• There are HTAs organized by Salvadorean
  immigrants in Los Angeles.
• HTAs activities may reveal the difficulties that
  Mexican immigrants face to integrate in the US.
  HTAs members find it easier to focus on the
  welfare of their community of origin in Mexico
  rather than working to create better conditions
  in the United States.

16

• Collective money remittances sent by HTAs
  function as a substitute for the lack of
  government welfare in Mexico.
• HTAs send money to meet basic needs. Investments
  with direct economic development outcomes are
  rare. However, HTAs improve local economies by
  facilitating economic transactions and by
  investing in human capital.

17
BIBLIOGRAPHY
18
(No Transcript)