Blurred Borders

Blurred Borders:
Transnational Migration
between the Hispanic
Caribbean and the U.S.
Jorge Duany
Cuban Research Institute
Florida International University
Main Objectives
Examine ties between
diasporas and home countries
Analyze classic Dominican
transnationalism
Describe unofficial links
between Cuba and its diaspora
Assess Puerto Rico’s colonial
transnationalism
Migration to the U.S.
(Thousands, by Decade)
450
300
150
0
1900
1920
Cuba
1940
Puerto Rico
1960
1980
Dominican Republic
2000
Population in the U.S. and in
Country of Origin, 2010
Cuba
U.S.
Puerto Rico
Country
of origin
Dominican
Republic
0%
50%
100%
Remittances to the Hispanic
Caribbean (US$ Billions)
3
2
1
0
1970
1980
Cuba
1990
Puerto Rico
2000
Dominican Republic
2010
The Dominican Republic:
A Transnational Nation-State
“Quisqueya Heights”
The Virgin of Altagracia
in New York City
“Dominican-Yorks”
“Call Home from Your Home”
Telephone Calls from the U.S.
to the D.R. (Millions)
300
200
100
0
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
Tourists in the Dominican
Republic (Millions)
3
2
1
0
2000
2003
Foreigners
2006
2009
Dominicans abroad
Origin of Dominican
Remittances, 2008
U.S.
Spain
Puerto Rico
Italy
Other countries
Remittance Agencies
in Puerto Rico
Cultural Remittances
Cuba: A “Disinterested
and Denouncing State”
Little Havana
“La Sagüesera”
“Yucas”
Telephone Calls from the U.S.
to Cuba (Millions)
60
40
20
0
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
Cuban-American Visits to Cuba
(Thousands)
120
80
40
0
1990
1994
1998
2002
2006
2010
Sending Packages to Cuba
Remittance Agencies and
Exchange Houses in Havana
Remittances and “Chopins”
Artistic Remittances?
Puerto Rico:
A Transnational Colonial State
Puerto Rican Population in the
U.S. and P.R. (Millions)
4
3
2
1
0
1900
1940
United States
1980
Puerto Rico
2010
“Our Barrio”
New York City’s
Puerto Rican Parade
“Nuyoricans”
Chicago’s Paseo Boricua
Orlando’s
Puerto Rican Parade
Asociación Borinqueña
en Orlando
Return Migration to P.R.
Remittances and Transfers
to P.R. (US$ Billions)
16
12
8
4
0
2000
2003
Private remittances
2006
2009
Federal transfers
Conclusions
Constant circulation between Caribbean and U.S.
Extensive transnationalism among Dominicans
Unofficial transnational ties among Cubans
Broad colonial transnationalism in P.R.
Are borders blurring?