Migration from Latin America and the Caribbean to North America has been a trend, with over 25 million individuals from the region living in North America by 2020, marking a substantial increase from 10 million in 1990. Europe also hosts a notable number of migrants from this region, with their presence more than quadrupling since 1990 to reach 5 million by 2020. In contrast, Asia and Oceania have seen relatively fewer migrants from Latin America and the Caribbean. The population of migrants from other regions residing in Latin America and the Caribbean has remained stable at around 3 million, with a slight decrease in European migrants and an increase in North American migrants. The internal migration within the region mainly consists of people moving from one Latin American or Caribbean country to another, with around 11 million such migrants reported.
The crisis in Venezuela has influenced migration patterns in the region, leading to one of the largest displacement crises globally. By mid-2021, about 5.6 million Venezuelans had fled their country, with the majority settling in other Latin American and Caribbean countries. Colombia, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, and Brazil are among the primary destinations for these migrants. Mexico stands out as the country with the highest number of emigrants in the region, with a considerable diaspora in the United States, followed by Venezuela and Colombia. Jamaica, El Salvador, and Venezuela have the highest emigrant populations as a percentage of their national populations. Argentina and Colombia are prominent hosts for migrants within the region, with Argentina having the largest foreign-born population.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread implementation of travel and movement restrictions across Latin America and the Caribbean, affecting both international and internal mobility. These restrictions peaked between March and June 2020, with quarantine mandates persisting longer than other measures. As the pandemic evolved, some countries reinstated international travel restrictions that had been previously lifted. Over time, however, there has been a gradual relaxation of these restrictions, including internal movement controls.
Remittances play a crucial role in the region’s economy, with Mexico receiving the largest amount in 2020, making it the third largest recipient worldwide. The region saw a record high in remittance flows in 2020, demonstrating resilience amidst the pandemic, partly due to migrants’ continued employment in essential sectors abroad. Brazil, Mexico, and Chile were the largest sources of remittances within the region, although Brazil saw a decrease in remittance outflows in 2020 compared to the previous year.
The Venezuelan displacement crisis remains an issue, with millions of Venezuelans seeking refuge abroad, particularly in Colombia. The crisis has led to a large number of Venezuelans living without formal refugee status. Additionally, people from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras have been seeking asylum in significant numbers, with most new internal displacements in the region in 2020 attributed to natural disasters rather than violence or conflict.
Central America and the Caribbean
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected migration patterns in Central America and the Caribbean, highlighting and intensifying vulnerabilities among migrants, especially those in transit. With border closures and movement restrictions, the flow of migrants heading north decreased initially. Many were stranded or forced onto more dangerous routes, such as the perilous Darién Gap. Despite these challenges, smuggling persisted, and the pandemic disrupted asylum processes, leaving many in poor conditions in makeshift camps. Some countries, however, offered aid, including repatriation and vaccination for stranded migrants. The pandemic also impacted the economy, particularly the tourism sector vital to many countries in the region.
Migration from Central America to the north continues to be driven by economic insecurity, violence, and climate change effects, with nearly 900,000 people from Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador displaced by the end of 2020. Migrant caravans, increasingly common since 2018, often include families and unaccompanied minors, highlighting the dynamic challenges of mixed migration. The rise in children traveling through dangerous routes like the Darién Gap underscores these issues. Both Mexico and the United States have increased immigration enforcement, resulting in more detentions and deportations and instances of excessive force against migrants.
In the Caribbean, emigration predominates, with the United States and Europe as the primary destinations. However, the influx of Venezuelan refugees has introduced new complexities. Initiatives by regional organizations have facilitated increased migration within the Caribbean, while the number of Venezuelan migrants is expected to rise. Some Caribbean countries are responding with regularization programs to offer legal status to Venezuelan migrants. Meanwhile, environmental challenges, including hurricanes and climate-induced disasters, are influencing migration patterns in the region. Countries are beginning to integrate migration considerations into their climate change strategies, recognizing the link between environmental factors and human mobility.
South America
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted migration across South America, as countries closed their borders and implemented strict lockdowns and quarantine measures to manage the spread of the virus. South America became a hotspot for COVID-19 cases, particularly by late July 2020, when it reported the highest number of confirmed cases globally. These stringent public health measures created challenges for migrants, leading to precarious living conditions and forcing many, who lost their jobs due to the pandemic’s economic impacts, to return to their countries of origin. This return migration often occurred under difficult circumstances, with many migrants walking back and getting stranded at borders under poor conditions. Countries like Guyana, Ecuador, and Peru have been working to include displaced people in their COVID-19 vaccination efforts to mitigate some of these challenges.
The region has been grappling with the challenge of regularizing displaced Venezuelans amid one of its most significant humanitarian crises. Since 2015, over five million Venezuelans have fled their country due to economic and political instability, with most seeking refuge in other South American countries. Colombia, Peru, Chile, and Ecuador host the majority of these migrants. Efforts to regularize these migrants, such as Colombia’s temporary protection status policy, aim to improve social inclusion and economic contributions by allowing access to jobs, healthcare, housing, and education. However, the unprecedented scale of this migration has posed challenges for many countries in processing visas and asylum requests, even as some, like Brazil and Peru, have offered humanitarian visas.
Intraregional migration has seen a rapid increase, with a significant contribution from women migrants. As of recent years, the number of intraregional migrants in South America has grown substantially, driven by factors like shifts in global immigration policies, regional economic opportunities, and the mass displacement from Venezuela. Women, in particular, have been moving to countries like Argentina and Chile, where they often find employment in domestic and caregiving roles due to demographic and societal changes.
Violence, conflict, and natural disasters are also key drivers of displacement within South America. Colombia has seen internal displacement due to ongoing violence and territorial conflicts, with a noticeable increase in displacement in 2021. Natural disasters, including floods, landslides, and droughts, have further compounded displacement issues, affecting large numbers of people and triggering movements within and across borders. The region’s efforts to manage these challenges are ongoing, addressing both the immediate impacts of crises and the longer-term needs of displaced populations.
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