ABSTRACT

This chapter discusses the case of a perhaps unexpected group of transnationally active migrants: US citizens in Brussels. Broad assumptions about Americans 1 living abroad tend to be that they are either highly educated and highly paid “expats” who are transient and remain uninvolved in their host societies, or dedicated humanitarian workers. However, a 2007 survey of US citizens living in Brussels, conducted by the author, rather demonstrates that Americans living overseas have high inter-marriage rates, are often locally employed, many are engaged in political transnationalism and many do retain a strong sense of identity as Americans. We can even speak of “reactive transnationalism,” as Americans react to Europeans' implicit or explicit attitudes toward Americans and, in particular, US foreign policy. This chapter will discuss the findings of this survey in conjunction with an examination of several American migrant organizations and their transnational political activities.