Intimate Migrations : Gender, Family, and Illegality Among Transnational Mexicans

In her research with transnational Mexicans, Deborah A. Boehm has often asked individuals: if there were no barriers to your movement between Mexico and the United States, where would you choose to live? Almost always, they desire the freedom to “come and go.” Yet the barriers preventing such movement are many. Because of the United States’ rigid immigration policies, Mexican immigrants often find themselves living long distances from family members and unable to easily cross the U.S.-Mexico border. Transnational Mexicans experience what Boehm calls “intimate migrations,” flows that both shape and are structured by gendered and familial actions and interactions, but are always defined by the presence of the U.S. state. Intimate Migrations is based on over a decade of ethnographic research, focusing on Mexican immigrants with ties to a small, rural community in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosí and several states in the U.S. West. By showing how intimate relations direct migration, and by looking at kin and gender relationships through the lens of illegality, Boehm sheds new light on the study of gender and kinship, as well as understandings of the state and transnational migration. In Her Research With Transnational Mexicans, Deborah A. Boehm Has Often Asked Individuals: If There Were No Barriers To Your Movement Between Mexico And The United States, Where Would You Choose To Live? Almost Always, They Desire The Freedom To Come And Go. Yet The Barriers Preventing Such Movement Are Many. Because Of The United States' Immigration Policies, Mexican Immigrants Often Find Themselves Living Long Distances From Family Members And Unable To Easily Cross The U.s.-mexico Border. Transnational Mexicans Experience What Boehm Calls Intimate Migrations, Flows That Both Shape And Are Structured By Gendered And Familial Actions And Interactions But Are Always Defined By The Presence Of The U.s. State. This Book Is Based On Over A Decade Of Ethnographic Research, Focusing On Mexican Immigrants With Ties To A Small, Rural Community In The Mexican State Of San Luis Potosi And Several States In The U.s. West. By Showing How Intimate Relations Direct Migration, And By Looking At Kin And Gender Relationships Through The Lens Of Illegality, Boehm Sheds New Light On The Study Of Gender And Kinship, As Well As Understandings Of The State And Transnational Migration. From The Publisher. Introduction: De Ambos Lados/from Both Sides -- Placing Intimate Migrations -- Pt. 1. Transborder Families -- Mitad Allá, Mitad Aquí/half There, Half Here -- Family Reunification -- Pt. 2. Gendered Migrations -- Ya Soy Hombre Y Mujer!/now I Am A Man And A Woman! -- Gendered Borderlands -- Pt. 3. Children On The Move -- Por Mis Hijos/ For My Children -- Here, Not Here -- Conclusion: Ni De Aquí, Ni De Allá/from Neither Here Nor There -- Postscript: Caught. Deborah A. Boehm. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "In her research with transnational Mexicans, Deborah A. Boehm has often asked individuals: if there were no barriers to your movement between Mexico and the United States, where would you choose to live? Almost always, they desire the freedom to 'come and go.' Yet the barriers preventing such movement are many. Because of rigid U.S. immigration policies, Mexican immigrants often find themselves living long distances from family members and unable to easily cross the U.S.-Mexico border. Transnational Mexicans experience what Boehm calls 'intimate migrations, ' flows that both shape and are structured by gendered and familial actions and interactions, but are always defined by the presence of the U.S. state. By showing how intimate relations direct migration, and by looking at kin and gender relationships through the lens of 'illegality, ' Boehm sheds new light on the study of gender and kinship, as well as understandings of the state and transnational migration."--Amazon.com . Puts a human face on the reasons why people migrate A must read. Leo Chavez, University of California, Irvine . Explores the human side of immigration A moving panorama. Louise Lamphere, University of New Mexico . Recommended for all levels/libraries. CHOICE"