Voluntary and Forced Migration in Latin America

Book excerpt: Latin America provides a compelling case for the study of migration policies and laws, with several factors – including both internal and interregional migration and refugee flows, the region’s progressive approach to the management of human mobility, and several forced displacement crises of the contemporary era – offering unique insights. Despite the region’s heterogeneous migration flows and unique immigration and refugee laws, the academic literature has thus far lacked in-depth explorations of migration policy in Latin America. Voluntary and Forced Migration in Latin America presents a comparative analysis of the migration legislation of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, and Peru. For each country, the collection provides a historical overview of the evolution of migration legislation, an analysis of the migration flows and types of migrant profiles, and an examination of the country’s current immigration, asylum, and nationality legislation. The primary regional and international mechanisms that facilitate a normative approach to voluntary and forced migration, as well as to migrant and refugee rights, are also thoroughly interrogated. Situating itself in the often progressive immigration policies of Latin America, Voluntary and Forced Migration in Latin America offers alternative solutions for other countries facing migration challenges in different contexts.