ABSTRACT

This chapter analyzes the significance and limitations of utilizing Gloria Anzaldúa’s framework when examining Mexican transnational communities of Mesoamerican ancestry after they return to Mexico. In this way, this chapter calls for a better understanding of the historical and political factors that impact the identities of Mexican transnationals of Indigenous origin. Based on data collected during three investigations with transnational (pre)service teachers from Indigenous communities in the Mexican states of Puebla (2017), Tlaxcala (2017), and Oaxaca (2018), the author analyzes the pertinence of Anzaldua’s framework in understanding the subjugation and internal differences of Indigenous transnational populations. This chapter also examines some areas in which this framework is insufficient to understand the heterogeneity of Indigenous transnationals during their return migration. The author concludes by proposing future areas of research regarding the indigeneity of Mexican transnational returnees.