Abstract: Maria Jimenez
"Gift-giving" Across Borders
Immigrants are transnational actors that build transnational communities
contributing to the social-well being of both communities of origin and
destiny. "Gift-giving" is expressed in the material and financial resources
committed to individuals, projects and programs. Examples abound in immigrant
communities in response to natural disasters and needs in communities
across borders. In the recipient countries, immigrants welcome newcomers
and assist them in times of personal crisis; in addition, they also make
donations to already established charities in their new communities. At
the same time, they send home monies or donations to communities of origin
for roadwork, schools, bridges, hospitals, playgrounds, economic development
projects, etc. The wealth of immigrant communities is grounded in collective
efforts to capture resources generated by the labor of each immigrant
and to a smaller degree, in monies generated by small economic enterprises.Immigrants
are key players in constructing just transnational communities shaping
a route for "globalization from below."
Biographical Information
Maria Jimenez is an immigration rights activist and policy analyst.
Among her writings are: "Violation of Human And Civil Rights By the Immigration
and Naturalization Service" May, 1987; "Human Rights at the Mexico-US
Border", Second Annual Report March, 1990; "In Defense of Our Dignity
and Rights" A Special Report, October, 1991; "Women at the US Mexico Border:
Violation of Women's Rights as Human Rights in Border Crossings" September
1995.
Published Articles include: "Police Policies and Practices: The Case of
the Border Patrol" Immigration Newsletter, Volume 17 No. 4 (1988); "Labor
Mobility and the North American Free Trade Agreement", Immigration Newsletter,
Volume 19 No. 4 (1991); "War on the Borderlands" Report on the Americas
Volume XXVI No. 1 (July 1992); "Mobility, Human Rights and Economic Development:
Lessons of the International Mexican Migrant Experience and United States
Immigration Policies", In Motion Magazine (e-magazine), 2000. She testified
before the United States House of Representatives, Committee on the Judiciary,
Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Claims, Hearing on "The
Deadly Consequences of Illegal Alien Smuggling," June 24, 2003.
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