Whereas most of the literature on migration focuses on individuals and their families, this book studies the organizations created by immigrants to protect themselves in their receiving states. Comparing 18 of these grassroots organizations formed across the world, researchers focus on the internal structure and activities of these organizations.

List of Illustrations Preface Notes on Contributors Section I: Immigrant Organizations in a Comparative Perspective Introduction: Immigration, Transnationalism, and Development: The State of the Question Alejandro Portes Section II: Immigrant Organizations in the United States Chapter 1. Traversing Ancestral and New Homelands: Chinese Immigrant-Transnational Organizations in the United States Min Zhou and Rennie Lee Chapter 2. Transnational Philanthropy of Urban Migrants: Colombian and Dominican Immigrant Organizations and Development Cristina Escobar Chapter 3. Tapping the Indian Diaspora for Indian Development Rina Agarwala Chapter 4. Partners in Organizing: Engagement between Migrants and the State in the Production of Mexican Hometown Associations Natasha Iskander Chapter 5. Navigating Uneven Development: The Dynamics of Fractured Transnationalism Margarita Rodríguez Chapter 6. Breaking Blocked Transnationalism: Intergenerational Change in Homeland Ties Jennifer Huynh and Jessica Yiu Section III: Immigrant Organizations in Europe Chapter 7. Moroccan and Congolese Migrant Organizations in Belgium Marie Godin, Barbara Herman, Andrea Rea, and Rebecca Thys Chapter 8. Moroccans in France: Their Organizations and Activities Back Home Thomas Lacroix and Antoine Dumont Chapter 9. Transnational Activities of Immigrants in the Netherlands: Do Ghanaian, Moroccan, and Surinamese Diaspora Organizations Enhance Development? Gery Nijenhuis and Annelies Zoomers Chapter 10. Transnational Immigrant Organizations in Spain: Their Role in Development and Integration Héctor Cebolla Boado and Ana López-Sala Conclusion: Assimilation through Transnationalism: A Theoretical Synthesis Patricia Fernández-Kelly

“…an insightful volume that makes a significant contribution to the scholarly field on transnationalism with a particular reference to the migration-development-integration nexus. I would recommend this volume to anyone interested in organisational transnationalism, homeland development and integration.” · Nordic Journal of Migration Research “The State and the Grassroots makes an important contribution. It will be of interest to all scholars and students with of all levels concerned with international migration. Select chapters would be appropriate for undergraduate course adoption.” · Contemporary Sociology “This impressive book… offers a very easy introduction and overview of the topic. It is, therefore, recommended not only to specialists with prior knowledge but to all interested in the topic. What makes this book special is the presentation and inclusion of the first completed, comprehensive studies of various migration groups in the US… [It] provides exhaustive documentation of how transnational immigrant organizations emerge and interact with home and host countries, presenting immigrants as vital agents of development. There is no doubt that [this volume) should be purchased by all university libraries and that it can enlighten readers in a domain in urgent need of attention.” · European Planning Studies “This is an outstanding volume that offers a unique look at the role of immigrant organizations in the United States and Europe. By focusing on organizations of immigrants, it shows their central role in the transnational field and moves the migration-development debate to a new, much more sophisticated level.”  ·  Ariel Armony, University of Miami