Migrant struggles in transit: the case of the Central American migrant movement

Abstract

This paper addresses a specific, little known example of grassroots migrant organization. The Mesoamerican Migrant Movement advocates for and advances the rights of migrants in transit through Mexico via collaboration with other migrant organizations and relatives of victims of disappearance while migrating to the United States. The case study is an example of migrant struggles in transit, which is a specific type of organizing that has received minimal attention in the literature about the collective action of migrants. The analysis touches upon the specific actors, practices, partnerships, and contexts that Mesoamerican Migrant Movement activists engage in their day to day efforts.

Keywords migrant struggles; migration in transit; collective action; social movements