Mistrust, fragmented solidarity, and transnational migration: Colombians in New York City and Los Angeles

This article compares the transnational economic, political, and sociocultu ral relations of Colombian migrants residing in two different locations in the United States. The vast majority of these migrants are middle class and originally from large urban areas, which differs from the typical rural-or igin migrants previously studied by transnational scholars. The analysis is based on theoretical developments from transnational studies and insights advanced by economic sociology. Our findings suggest that transnational rel ations and activities do not follow a linear path and are not necessarily a nd inevitably a progressive process. The reach, scope and effects of transn ational activities are contingent on the interaction of multiple contextual (state of origin-migrants relations; state of origin relations with countr y of destination; context of reception of immigrants abroad) and group fact ors (size, class composition, mode of settlement).