Central America and Mexico

Migration Issues

Central America and Mexico have some of the most complex migration dynamics in the world, with hundreds of thousands of migrants and a variety of origin, transit, and destination countries. Most migration is related to the search for a better life and the demand for labour in various sectors in North America (the US and Canada) or destination countries in the region (e.g. Costa Rica and Panama). Irregular migration is a major concern, including internal flows, movement northward through the region, and flows into Central America. Irregular migration has significant social impact. The growing feminization of migration and increasing numbers of unaccompanied children are also issues of special concern. Youths have been particularly affected by the lack of economic opportunities, a phenomenon linked to gangs (maras). Migrant smugglers and human traffickers take advantage of youth seeking employment abroad, as well as preying upon migrants in irregular situations, heightening the importance of security and border control.

The CA-4 countries (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua) have launched mechanisms for the free mobility of people. Although the region, as a whole, is increasingly integrated in terms of labour mobility, establishing information technology-based mechanisms that contribute to regional security, unrestricted mobility, and the facilitation of trade remains a major pending task. Gaps in migration policies and in migration management remain at the national and regional levels. Regional cooperation should continue to be strengthened to both improve migration management and protect the rights of vulnerable migrants, such as trafficked people, unaccompanied children, and indigenous groups.

July 2011