COVID-19 and Protracted Displacement: a Scoping Review of Migration Policies in Mexico and Central America

ten Have, Noor J.; Jimenez, Kassandra J.; Attilus, Jonas; Livaudais, Maria B.; Mengistu, Brittney S.

doi:10.1007/s12134-023-01040-w

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 36 publications

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“…As the results have shown, IMs wishing to reach Europe made the migration journey via irregular routes (59), and were subject to adverse weather conditions, dehydration and malnutrition (13). Irregular migration involves crossing borders without documentation or residing in transit areas without visas or employment agreements (60). To prevent COVID-19 transmission, measures such as border closures (61) were implemented, which prolonged the MIMs' time in transit countries.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experiences of male irregular migrants during their migration process and reception in Spain: lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic

García-López,

Jiménez-Lasserrotte,

Briones-Vozmediano

et al. 2024

Front. Public Health

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BackgroundThe causes behind migration movements are complex. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how several countries failed to respond to the virus adequately, while simultaneously infringing on people’s rights. Male irregular migrants fled their countries of origin and embarked on a perilous migration journey to Spain. The highly restrictive COVID-19 measures and border closures affected the mobility of male irregular migrants, whose reception in the host country posed a challenge. It led to the establishment of emergency facilities to accommodate male irregular migrants affected by COVID-19, which had repercussions on their mental health. The aim of this study was to describe and understand the experiences of male irregular migrants throughout their migration process and reception in Spain during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsQualitative descriptive study. Sixteen male irregular migrants participated in this study. Data were collected between January and March 2023 through 16 one-on-one in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data using ATLAS.ti computer software.ResultsThree main themes emerged: (1) How the COVID-19 pandemic drove male irregular migrants to leave their countries of origin, (2) How COVID-19 lockdown policies affected the migration journey, and (3) Receiving male irregular migrants in a pandemic: a housing labyrinth marked by isolation and loneliness.ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic increased the social, employment and health inequalities experienced by male irregular migrants. Border closures exacerbated the migration journey and the social stigmatization of this group, who were seen as carriers of the virus in both transit and host countries. Strict control measures in emergency and reception facilities had a significant psychological impact on the male irregular migrants due to the social isolation they experienced. Health institutions should develop programs to guarantee the care needs of irregular migrants.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experiences of male irregular migrants during their migration process and reception in Spain: lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic

García-López,

Jiménez-Lasserrotte,

Briones-Vozmediano

et al. 2024

Front. Public Health

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“When you leave your country, this is what you’re in for”: experiences of structural, legal, and gender-based violence among asylum-seeking women at the Mexico-U.S. border

Ramage,

Stirling-Cameron,

Ramos

et al. 2023

BMC Public Health

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Background Recent U.S. immigration policy has increasingly focused on asylum deterrence and has been used extensively to rapidly deport and deter asylum-seekers, leaving thousands of would-be asylum-seekers waiting indefinitely in Mexican border cities, a large and growing proportion of whom are pregnant and parenting women. In the border city of Tijuana, Mexico, these women are spending unprecedented durations waiting under unsafe humanitarian conditions to seek safety in the U.S, with rising concerns regarding increases in gender-based violence (GBV) among this population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given existing gaps in evidence, we aimed to describe the lived experiences of GBV in the context of asylum deterrence policies among pregnant and parenting asylum-seeking women at the Mexico-U.S. border. Methods Within the community-based Maternal and Infant Health for Refugee & Asylum-Seeking Women (MIHRA) study, we conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 30 asylum-seeking women in Tijuana, Mexico between June and December 2022. Eligible women had been pregnant or postpartum since March 2020, were 18–49 years old, and migrated for the purposes of seeking asylum in the U.S. Drawing on conceptualizations of structural and legal violence, we conducted a thematic analysis of participants’ experiences of GBV in the context of asylum deterrence policies and COVID-19. Results Pregnant and parenting asylum-seeking women routinely faced multiple forms of GBV perpetuated by asylum deterrence policies at all stages of migration (pre-migration, in transit, and in Tijuana). Indefinite wait times to cross the border and inadequate/unsafe shelter exacerbated further vulnerability to GBV. Repeated exposure to GBV contributed to poor mental health among women who reported feelings of fear, isolation, despair, shame, and anxiety. The lack of supports and legal recourse related to GBV in Tijuana highlighted the impact of asylum deterrence policies on this ongoing humanitarian crisis. Conclusion Asylum deterrence policies undermine the health and safety of pregnant and parenting asylum-seeking women at the Mexico-U.S. border. There is an urgent need to end U.S. asylum deterrence policies and to provide respectful, appropriate, and adequately resourced humanitarian supports to pregnant and parenting asylum-seeking women in border cities, to reduce women’s risk of GBV and trauma.

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Crossing digital borders: technology in the migration process across the United States, Mexico, Honduras, and Chile

Cabrera-Medina,

Magaña Frade,

Diaz

et al. 2024

Front. Polit. Sci.

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This study examines the role of technology in migration processes across the United States, Mexico, Honduras, and Chile, with a focus on how technological tools are used primarily for control and management, and to a lesser extent, for facilitating integration. Through a qualitative methodology, including a comprehensive review of gray literature, this research analyzes the deployment of technologies by governmental and non-governmental institutions. Key findings reveal significant disparities in technological implementation, with the United States leading in advanced surveillance and control technologies, including biometric systems, artificial intelligence, and mobile applications like CBP One. In contrast, Mexico and Chile employ more limited technological tools, with Chile showing an emphasis on social inclusion through the Migrapp app. Honduras, on the other hand, lacks significant technological infrastructure for migration governance. The study highlights the risks associated with privacy invasion, surveillance, and social exclusion, particularly in the U.S, and calls for the responsible design and use of technology to ensure the protection of migrants' rights and to foster inclusion rather than exacerbate inequalities.

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COVID-19 and Protracted Displacement: a Scoping Review of Migration Policies in Mexico and Central America

Cited by 3 publications

References 36 publications

Experiences of male irregular migrants during their migration process and reception in Spain: lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic

Experiences of male irregular migrants during their migration process and reception in Spain: lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic

“When you leave your country, this is what you’re in for”: experiences of structural, legal, and gender-based violence among asylum-seeking women at the Mexico-U.S. border

Crossing digital borders: technology in the migration process across the United States, Mexico, Honduras, and Chile

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