Prompted by the Syrian refugee crisis, many countries have implemented stricter immigration policies. However, some Latin American countries, specifically those with a higher proportion of Muslims or Syrians, responded to the refugee crisis with more sympathy. Uruguay is one such country. Nestled in between Brazil and Argentina, the territory of Uruguay is roughly the size of Washington state and is home to only 3.4 million individuals. Here are some essential facts about refugees in Uruguay:

1. Uruguay was the first country in Latin America that showed a willingness to receive refugees.
2. According to one political analyst, Uruguay’s economy will largely be unable to assimilate refugees into their workforce.
3. Refugees publicly lamented the country’s limited economic opportunity.
4. According to the most recent statistics, Uruguay accepted 117 immigrants up to September 2015.
5. Refugees now appeal to other countries and even to the United Nations to help them leave the country.
6. Some refugees tried leaving the country, but such efforts failed because most countries do not accept their Uruguay-issued documentation and the immigrants also lack their Syrian-issued passports.
7. Amidst such social discord, public opinion toward Syrian refugees began to sour. Many citizens felt that the refugees in Uruguay are ungrateful.
8. Due to such public backlash, President Vasquez temporarily suspended any further allocation of Syrian refugees.
9. The country’s first group of Syrian refugees was to take Spanish classes to help them assimilate.
10. Uruguay hoped that, with their initial open-door policy, they would have a type of contagion effect on surrounding countries.

The following information about refugees in Uruguay reveals that countries with already suffering economies are, in many cases, unfit to offer refuge to large numbers of displaced persons. Therefore, more prosperous nations ought to show Uruguay’s initial willingness to accept refugees.

– Shannon Golden

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