Philanthropic clubs? If you are going to google for info use the correct name, associations. Hometown associations, HTAs. "hometown philanthropic" gets zero hits. "hometown associations" gets 1280 hits.
HTAs have been around a long time. Some of the most famous HTAs were the German Nazi HTAs.
Despite the tenor of the AP employee's typings these are well coordinated and organized efforts -- not only by the corrupt Mexican government but many other governments who have a "diaspora" program for their "citizens abroad."
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