ABSTRACT
This chapter approaches literature on social movements and the organisation of international immigrants. Solidarity is based on mutual aid and it may be a basic tool to confront systemic integration and to boost social integration. The chapter discusses an analysis of social movements in order to situate a significant aspect of the social life of the urban areas of Western capitalists countries where some 'foreign immigrants' reside. In a more synthetic typology, which develops Miller's one, Patrick Ireland describes three general types of political structures that immigrants may face both at 'national' and local level: homeland-oriented participation, institutional participation, and confrontational participation. The possible characteristics of the organisations where 'foreign immigrants' participate can be made more concrete. The number of studies on the collective action of 'migrant labour' is higher than those focused on organisations which are closer to capital interests.
