Transnational Migration and Conflict

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtzl5BZFRPI]

by socanonymous

Ongoing fighting in Sri Lanka has brought together about 45,000 Tamils from across Toronto, to protest what they call the genocide of Tamil people. They came together to form a human chain in Toronto’s downtown city core. The powerful emotions shown in the video give a glimpse of the struggles that many transnational migrants have gone through and escaped from.

Globalization has facilitated diasporas to maintain political and social ties transnationally, in spite of geographical proximity. These nonstate actors, some of whom seek asylum or are displaced because of violence, relocate to safer nations and are better able to provide support back home. Support often comes in the form of remittances to loved ones, essential resources and sometimes, as in this case, support for political and humanitarian goals. Communication is now faster and more efficient, which is essential in the mobilization of collective political action across state boundaries. Transnational migrants are better able to empower themselves and give a voice for their people back home, thereby applying political pressure from a safe distance.

Read more…

Patricia Landolt on “The Transnational Geographies of Immigrant Politics”