This article examines the complex reasons for Brazilian immigration to the United States through a study of two migration corridors: from Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais to Framingham, Massachusetts and from Piracanjuba, Goias to Marietta, Georgia. The author conducted ethnographic interviews and observations of Brazilian immigrants in their homes and communities to understand their geographical imaginations and experiences migrating. Key findings were that immigrants migrated for reasons such as social mobility, family reunification, and escaping abusive relationships. Their decisions to migrate were influenced by perceptions of place, cultural identities, and desires for adventure or education in the United States.

1. Article #2: Brazilian Immigration to
the United States and the
Geographical Imagination.
by Alan P. Marcus
Published in: The Geographical Review, 99(4),
481-498.
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Geography Topic: Transnational Migration

2. Outline:
• Topic: This article explores the “interrelated &
complex” reasons Brazilians migrate to the
United States as part of the study of
transnational migration. (Abstract – p. 496)
• Geographical Settings
• World Region: Western Hemisphere, South & North American
continents, nations of Brazil & the United States.
• Origins: Governador Valadares, Minas Gerias &
Piracanjuba, Goias in Brazil
• Destinations: Framingham, Massachusetts &
Marietta, Georgia in the United States
p. 481 – Abstract & Introduction, p. 483 – Study location maps
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3. Brazil to the United States
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4. Purpose of the Study
… was to examine the questions:
• 1. Why are so many Brazilians leaving for the United States?
• 2. What is their geographical imaginations, and how are they
described in their migration process? (p. 481)
• Research Objective: Examine two major migration corridors
between Brazil & the United States
1. Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais & Framingham, MA
2. Piracanuba, Goias & Marietta, GA
Rationale:
Understanding the experiences of Immigrants helps to
understand transnational migration.
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5. Key Terms & Concepts
• Geographic Imagination - a subjective
idea
• Brazilian immigration
• Ethnic geography
• Humanistic geography
• Reasons for migrating
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6. Theoretical paradigms – Geographic
Imagination
• Theoretical background: Results of the
research were examined in context of
"grounded theory", a way to review the
interview and observation data without trying
to categorize people's responses within a set
conceptual framework (p. 484).
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7. Study Participants:
• Participants: Brazilian immigrants to the two
locations in the United States
• Participants: 29% were undocumented or
were in the U.S. illegally.
• 51% women, 49% men, ages 18 to 74, average
age was 42, no one under 18 was interviewed,
no one unable to agree to the confidentiality
agreement (p. 484).
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8. Methodology
• Methodology: The author used "primary and
secondary data and multiple research methods”
(p. 481).
• Ethnography - the researcher engaged in both
observation of the participants in their homes
and other cultural places, "churches, stores, and
households" (p. 482). The researcher also asked
the interviewees open-ended questions relating
to their experiences as immigrants to the U.S.
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9. Results: Reasons for Migration
• Social mobility
• Family reunification
• Escaping an abusive relationship
• The geographical imagination of
individuals
9P. 493-495

10. Commentary
Geographical imagination –
• Place perceptions
• Spatial behavior
• Issue of national & cultural identities
• Decisions to migrate: adventure, curiosity,
educational pursuit, family reunion, U.S.
cultural influence, & or escape
• Kinship ties, social & religious networks
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