Transnational spaces through local places - Mexican immigrants in Albuquerque (New Mexico)

摘要

Even though a large part of empirical research has focused on particular localities, literature on transnational migration has neglected the role of place in the construction or permanence of transnational ties between Mexico and the United States. This article explores how relevant the place (i.e., constructions and representations of places, as well as developing a sense of place) is to understanding migration processes and decisions among Mexican immigrants in Albuquerque (New Mexico). Methodologically, the article is based on qualitative research in the Mexican community in Albuquerque, and it focuses on analysis of immigrants' mental maps and spatial discourses. The article concludes that immigrants identify with places at macro (national) as well as micro levels. At the macro level, ideas on Mexico and the United States are key to understanding immigrants' intentions regarding length of stay. Yet the strongest senses of place are found at the micro level. Here, identification with public spaces is associated with radical changes in the immigrants' lives.