From public works to political actions: Political socialization in Guerrero hometown organizations

This article argues that Mexican migrants have become politicized through participation in hometown organizations. It traces the increasing organizational complexity of hometown associations (HTAs) from the state of Guerrero formed in Chicago since the late 1980s and the parallel development of Mexican government programs in response to migrants' growing economic and political strength. As migrants negotiate with government officials to take advantage of matching funds for public works in their natal villages - currently institutionalized in the Programa 3x1 para Migrantes - they become more aware of how power structures work and how to engage them to their own advantage. As a result, some migrants now participate in explicitly political activities - both in Mexico and the United States campaigning for candidates, lobbying for migrants' rights or even seeking political office.