Mistrust, fragmented solidarity, and transnational migration: Colombians in New York City and Los Angeles

Abstract

This article compares the transnational economic, political, and sociocultural relations of Colombian migrants residing in two different locations in the United States. The vast majority of these migrants are middle class and originally from large urban areas, which differs from the typical rural-origin migrants previously studied by transnational scholars. The analysis is based on theoretical developments from transnational studies and insights advanced by economic sociology. Our findings suggest that transnational relations and activities do not follow a linear path and are not necessarily and inevitably a progressive process. The reach, scope and effects of transnational activities are contingent on the interaction of multiple contextual (state of origin-migrants relations; state of origin relations with country of destination; context of reception of immigrants abroad) and group factors (size, class composition, mode of settlement).