Mexican Identity Abroad

by Carlos J. Guizar Rivas

Mexicans represent more than 60% of the Hispanic population temporarily or permanently living in the United States. From 1990 to 2005, the Mexican population in the United States increased from 13.4m to 26.7m people. These gures also indicate that Mexican migrants tend to stay in the United States for longer periods than they used to. Both Mexico and the United States prot from the resulting economic contributions. In 2007, for example, the contribution made by the population of Mexican origin to the American economy amounted to $635 billion and in 2010 Mexico received $21.3 billion in remittances. Therefore, identity-related issues have become more relevant for policy makers, politicians, and citizens in both Mexico and the United States.
Mexicans prefer moving to places where they have Those who try the most to adapt to their receiver relatives or friends so they immediately have a social communities tend to be the ones that were born in net. By living together with fellow countrymen, who the United States. Some of them may not want to share similar values they are able to remain attached learn Spanish and alter their values, habits or identity to their Mexican identity. Anti-immigrant legislation in order to be accepted by the receiver communities. and xenophobic attitudes may also serve as factors These people experience identity crises in the United that push immigrants to attach even more to their States as well as in Mexico: in many cases, they are communities. rejected by both their communities of origin as well However, a loss of Mexican values and national iden- as their receiver communities. It is at that moment of tity may occur as part of their adaptation process to limbo when the last notion of national identity may receiver communities. Some of them tend to replicate be lost. As such, the role played by the authorities in certain attitudes and habits that are not the same as Mexico is crucial in order to promote national values the ones they had back home. For example, there may and identity as well as strengthening the links with be a cultural shock as they have strong bonds to their their original communities. religious beliefs, which are based on Catholic values and may differ from the values held by the majority of Reinforcing citizenship abroad the receiver community. A step forward to reinforce Mexicans identity abroad, through exercising their political rights, was a proposal made by former President Fox that allowed Mexicans overseas to vote for the rst time in the federal elections of 2006 and onwards. The exercise of prerogatives serves as an identity booster for migrants as they are able to decide on Mexicos future and political direction. Even though many Mexicans abroad were

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able to vote in 2006, more things need to be done so they can effectively exercise this prerogative. Some of them are not able to get a voting card as they do not have birth certicates, they do not come to Mexico or do not stay long enough in the country to get the card.
de Vries Guizar Rivas Grosjean

Carlos J. Guizar Rivas graduated from the Hertie School of Governance in 2009 and is currently working as International Affairs Director of the National Action Party National Executive Committee in Mexico. He has worked as a consultant at the Mexican Congress and has been lecturer at international migration forums and member/advisor of Mexican Delegations to the UN General Assembly and the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

In response to this issue, the Parliamentarian Group of the National Action Party (PAN) at the Mexican Chamber of Deputies made two main proposals: 1) the Federal Electoral Institute can set regional campaigns abroad in order to issue voting cards for Mexicans overseas; and 2) Mexicans living abroad are able to become deputies or senators hence each political party would have to propose migrants in their lists for proportional representation. With this reform, at least twelve Mexicans living abroad would become congressmen. Nevertheless, Mexicans who do not have all their documents with them would not be able to reap these benets. For this reason, local government ofcials travel periodically to the United States to issue birth certicates and to promote the link between the Mexicans living abroad and their original communities. As well, Guanajuato and other Mexican states have representations in many cities of the United States to promote national values and identity.

bution Mexican immigrants make to their economy (e.g. one of the greatest investments in Denver is the construction of the Four Seasons Hotel, which 46% of the investment belong to Mexicans). Mexican values, traditions, and customs are also promoted among Mexicans and Americans with the MC organising art exhibits and screening movies from the Mexican Film Golden Era at local theatres and the consulate. In Denver, many actions have been taken to promote

The relationship between Mexicans living abroad and their country is largely cultivated through consulates and embassies. The Mexican Consulate General (MC) to Denver, for example, has a jurisdiction of 64 counties in Colorado and 13 in Wyoming with an national identity and protect both the rights and digestimated population of 671,341, primarily coming nity of Mexicans living in a regionwhich usually is from the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Guanajuato, not linked to Mexicans living in itunlike in Califorand Durango. In 2007, President Felipe Calderon nia where 25% of the population have Mexican roots. appointed Eduardo Arnal Consul General to Denver. (Due to his performance he was recently appointed The National Executive Committee (CEN) of the PAN to the Mexican Consulate to Chicago). As a member also promotes national identity abroad through the of the presidents transition team, and sharing his Migrants Integral Development Council and after humanistic approach, his priority is to promote being elected, the National President of the PAN, GusMexican traditions and customs, lled with the tavo Madero, created the Coordination on Migration. values which constitute our national identity and As such, through the coordination and joint efforts to promote cooperation links with the American of deputies, senators and authorities of the PAN, as authorities so they can encourage respect towards our well as several secretariats of the CEN, including the International Affairs Secretariat, we encourage Mexifellow Mexicans. Identity is also related to a sense of pride, which is why cans to preserve their national identity and values and the MC promotes a wider image of Mexican immi- we also promote the protection of their rights and grants, highlighting their contributions to the United human dignity. States and making Coloradoans aware of the contri-

These people experience identity crises in the United States as well as in Mexico: in many cases, they are rejected by both their communities of origin as well as their receiver communities.

Spring 2011 Issue Ten

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