Contribution to Integration or Segregation? The influence of Bolivian migrant organizations in Buenos Aires on the integration process of Bolivian migrants in the Argentinean society.

Abstract

Bolivian migrants in Buenos Aires have a vulnerable social and economic position within the Argentinean society. The migrant has to deal with unequal treatment and discrimination, the majority of the inhabitants of Buenos Aires has European roots and often feels superior towards the indigenous population of Argentina and other neighbouring countries. Irregular migrants that live in informal settlements and work in the informal sector have problems to obtain access to health care and education. Since the 1970s the Bolivian migrants started to establish associations and federations to maintain their cultural identity and stimulate the social inclusion of migrants in the receiving society. Currently there are numerous migrant organizations with a broad variety of objectives and activities. These migrant organizations have the intention to contribute to the integration process but at the same time they separate the migrants from the Argentinean society. New laws and policies introduced by the current Argentinean government of President Cristina Kirchner facilitated the documentation of Bolivian migrants, which had a positive impact on the integration of the migrant community in Buenos Aires. The different types of migrant organizations also made their contribution to the integration process, each organization on their own way.