Bordering Immigrants in Argentina. The case of the Chilean immigration to Patagonia and Tiera del Fuego

ENRIQUE DEL ACEBO IBÁÑEZ

Arctic & Antarctic International Journal on Circumpolar Sociocultural Issues

FAE-EDUSAL

Lugar: Buenos Aires - Reykjavík (Islandia); Año: 2010 vol. 4 p. 47 - 65

1851-4685

Bordering Immigrants in Argentina. The case of the Chilean immigration to Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego   Enrique del Acebo Ibáñez       Abstract   International immigration has been a fundamental element in (and for) the socioeconomic development of Argentina, while migration from the neighboring countries happened at the same time than inner migrations within Argentina. As of 1960 neighboring countries immigration was on a constant increase, concomitantly with determined sectors of both the labor market, and geographical regions. In early 90s, immigration from neighboring countries accounted for more than 50% of the whole immigration entering Argentina. The Chilean migration to Argentina began starting long before the creation of both, respective States, even though the higher importance thereof starts as of mid-20th century. Chilean citizens have migrated to Patagonia mainly (but they are found also in the Metropolitan area of the city of Buenos Aires, in the city of Mendoza (center area of Argentina), and also in the city of Bahía Blanca -to the South of the Province of Buenos Aires). Immigration from a neighboring country involves a population displacement the generation of which has to be sought in adaptative strategies developed into the family economy of poor people, perhaps much more than seeking the immigration motive into the migrant politics of national States. This article analyzes the migration motives among Chilean immigrants, the insertion types and grades into the receiving society, and also the migratory networks and grade of associativity in terms of social capital and resilience.