Colombians

The 2000 U.S. Census brought confirmation of the increase of the Latino population and of the growing diversity of Latino national groups that now make this region their home. Latinos now number 428,729, a 55% increase over their numbers in 1990. In 30 years, the Latino population has increased six-fold, and from its initial concentrations in Springfield, Holyoke, and Boston

his research is aiming to identify the contribution to social and/or community development of the Colombian women in diaspora in London. Bearing in mind that the Colombians are the second largest population in London, and women are the majority, this dissertation will analyse the difference by gender between Colombian women’s profile and the profile of Colombian migrants in London. Based on a gendered approach, this research will identify the milestones along women process in London as well as the main working areas and leadership positions. Using both, qualitative and quantitative methodology primary and secondary data have been analysed. 23 surveys have been collected and 6 in-depth interviews were conducted. The results shows that 100% of Colombian women interviewed have participated in a wide range of activities oriented to help the community in London. The starting point for the majority has been a volunteering position, however others have occupied public positions from where also can contribute. Colombian women in London have been contributing in the last three decades to community and social development in London. Further research is needed for a better understanding of this topic. Also, research focusing on men is important in order to balance the knowledge and research more in depth about the psycho-social process on migrant women.

Key words: development, gender, migration, women, diaspora, Colombia, London.

Building on Menjívar's (Am J Sociol 111(4):999–1037, 2006) concept of legal liminality, this article examines the negative effects of the transition from a temporary to a permanent legal status for Colombian migrant professionals. Drawing from thirty-one in-depth interviews with Colombian computer engineers who migrated in the 1990s, this study reveals how legal status adjustment stipulations invalidate the credentials and professional experience of these migrants, delay their economic and professional advancement and deeply affect their life-course decisions. I demonstrate that Colombian migrant professionals tolerate these repercussions in order to avoid returning to the political violence and economic crises of their home country. By comparing these findings with the experiences of Central American migrants, I argue that, regardless of their migration motivations and educational backgrounds, immigration law negatively affects the incorporation of different Latino/a migrants in similar ways.

Building on Menjívar's (Am J Sociol 111(4):999-1037, 2006) concept of legal liminality, this article examines the negative effects of the transition from a temporary to a permanent legal status for Colombian migrant professionals. Drawing from thirty-one in-depth interviews with Colombian computer engineers who migrated in the 1990s, this study reveals how legal status adjustment stipulations invalidate the credentials and professional experience of these migrants, delay their economic and professional advancement and deeply affect their life-course decisions. I demonstrate that Colombian migrant professionals tolerate these repercussions in order to avoid returning to the political violence and economic crises of their home country. By comparing these findings with the experiences of Central American migrants, I argue that, regardless of their migration motivations and educational backgrounds, immigration law negatively affects the incorporation of different Latino/a migrants in similar ways. Keywords Colombian migrant professionals Á Legal liminality Á Legal violence Á Downward mobility Á Family separation Á Race So you get anxious, you feel that your life is on standby. It's difficult to plan anything. It's difficult to say: let's buy this house, let's move here because you don't want to move out. You don't want your papers to get lost in the mail. When we moved, we officially switched our paperwork to a new assigned immigration office and it was traumatic, they couldn't find our paperwork after a while. This affects your well-being, because you fear that you will have to start all over again. You want to make sure that everything is safe and correct, because you are afraid things are going to get lost. Your life is on standby because of this. Your personal life has to wait because of this paperwork craziness.

El Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores tiene el gusto de presentar la "Guía para los colombianos en el exterior" con el fin de dotar al público en general de una herramienta de información que permita absolver las inquietudes más frecuentes que se presentan día a día, particularmente a las personas que se aprestan a viajar o viven en el extranjero. Esta Guía describe de una manera clara y sencilla la labor que desempeñan los consulados colombianos acreditados en el exterior, los trámites que realizan, y el tratamiento de casos adversos que, desafortunadamente, afectan a algunas personas y a través de ellas a la colectividad colombiana. El Gobierno Nacional con esta Guía, además de realizar algunas recomendaciones a los connacionales, pretende reforzar los vínculos de