This article explores Latin America’s response to immigration, particularly Brazil’s effective strategies. Migration experts note the unprecedented human mobility in the region, with millions fleeing Venezuela, Cuba, and Ecuador. Brazil’s bipartisan approach to immigration has been particularly successful, offering lessons for other nations, though more work is needed to align migrant support with policy goals.
Migration specialists Diego Chaves-González and João Jarochinski Silva examine Latin America’s treatment of migrants, emphasizing Brazil’s innovative approach. Over the past decade, approximately 8 million Venezuelans, 10 percent of Cubans since 2020, and a significant portion of Ecuadorians have emigrated, particularly following a spike in 2021. Chaves-González asserts, “I would say that we’ve entered, since maybe a few years ago, an era of human mobility without any precedent.” He highlights Brazil’s, Colombia’s, Ecuador’s, and Peru’s efforts to efficiently integrate high numbers of new arrivals.
Despite these advancements, he notes the necessity for improved alignment between government policies, private sector interests, and migrants’ needs, as well as efforts aimed at fostering long-term socio-economic development. He specifically commends Brazil for its successful bipartisan immigration strategy, stating, “Brazil has actually done something very successful. It has sustained a non-partisan or a bipartisan immigration strategy, and I think this is the type of message that we need to be sending the region.”
In summary, Brazil exemplifies a successful model for immigration policy that promotes inclusivity and bipartisanship. With millions of migrants from neighboring countries seeking refuge, the need for coherent responses from governments is critical. By bridging the gap between migrant needs and governmental response, Latin American countries can achieve sustainable social and economic growth while addressing the challenges posed by high levels of migration.
Original Source: www.as-coa.org
