Archive for category: Migration

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Migration to South Sudan

Migration to South SudanSouth Sudan has experienced decades of colonial rule and internal conflict and two violent civil wars, the second of which lasted more than two decades and claimed an estimated 2 million lives. It also experienced a 2011 referendum which saw nearly 99% of the population vote in favor of independence. Today, net migration to South Sudan, the world’s youngest country, is estimated to be the “world’s highest,” sitting at 39.6 migrants per 1,000 population.

Despite many people migrating to South Sudan to seek refuge, the country remains one of the worst humanitarian crises globally. There have been multiple failed attempts at peace agreements and cease-fires in the region, with “political violence and instability” between government forces and rebel groups persisting. Further agricultural issues present themselves, with the country’s tropical climate leaving it highly vulnerable to the impacts of natural disasters. Therefore, the high rates of migration to South Sudan, combined with these factors, mean that currently more than half the South Sudanese population (7.8 million) face “acute food insecurity.”

The Numbers Examined  

Since April 2023, the neighboring country, Sudan, has seen an ongoing brutal civil war between rival factions of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SDF) and Rapid Supported Forces (RSF). Around 19 million people are facing “crisis levels of hunger,” with one in three Sudanese experiencing displacement from their homes. Out of the 605,062 refugees and asylum seekers settled in South Sudan at the end of 2025, 95% were Sudanese refugees.

In 2025, South Sudan hosted the third most Sudanese refugees. A contributor to this is the prima facie refugee status that the South Sudanese government granted, which allows an individual to receive acknowledgment as a refugee based on the objective circumstances in their home country, rather than individual evaluation. A large proportion of these migrants are nationals returning to the country, having originally fled to Sudan as refugees. Among the refugees, around 76% are women and children combined.

Nearly two years on since the Sudan conflict began in 2023, an Oxfam report showed that more than 1 million refugees and returnees have fled to South Sudan, seeking refuge. Figures show that an estimated 1,500 people were arriving daily at Renk transit centers, located in northern South Sudan, meaning these facilities were operating at “five times their intended capacity.”

The Consequences of Mass Migration

The consequences of this mass migration to South Sudan, a country already experiencing a “catastrophic humanitarian crisis,” is devastating. Alongside these high levels of incoming migrants, South Sudan is battling with massive levels of internal displacement. At the end of 2024, 1.8 million South Sudanese individuals had been internally displaced.

A large reason for these high levels of displacement is the continued armed conflict and intercommunal violence within the country, with areas such as the Upper Nile experiencing the worst effects. This conflict has made it increasingly difficult for communities to receive appropriate aid, as well as an increase in “protection risks,” particularly in vulnerable groups such as unaccompanied children.

The migrant crisis has produced a greater strain on already sparse resources, with farmers using as little as 5% of agricultural land due to issues such as fuel price increases and changing weather patterns. An example of this is the widespread flooding that has occurred in 44 of South Sudan Counties, affecting 1.4 million people. The agricultural sector in South Sudan simply does not have the capacity to meet the needs of its people.

Internally, there are also large infrastructural issues. South Sudan boasts a large oil industry, accounting for 90% of the government’s revenue. However, much of these profits are going toward improving the lives of the elites, such as government officials.

Aid and Response 

Many of South Sudan’s rural areas now rely solely on international aid to survive. An organization helping to provide this aid is Oxfam, delivering humanitarian assistance to 500,000 people. In the town of Renk, one of Oxfam’s initiatives includes providing “hygiene and dignity kits” for locals, which can include necessities such as soap or menstrual items for women.

Another organization that has played a major role in providing aid to the region for decades is Christian Aid. Its “From Violence to Peace” approach seeks to enable communities in South Sudan, by equipping them with the “knowledge and tools” regarding conflict that they require. The aim here is to allow the people to confront the underlying causes of conflict and participate in a comprehensive peace for their country.

Other African nations are also playing their part to assist with this crisis. In 2024, Uganda hosted 43% of South Sudanese refugees, the highest in the region. The country’s progressive approach offers rights such as “access to land and services” to those who migrate there. Uganda, Ethiopia and Kenya all granted prima facie status to South Sudanese refugees, allowing them “immediate protection and support.”

South Sudan’s Future 

Despite help from those in the region and internationally, much work is still necessary in South Sudan. With more than 2.3 million South Sudanese remaining as refugees in neighboring countries, there will come a time when some of these people will return home. This leaves the country and its people facing a seemingly impossible equation to solve; a declining amount of food supplies alongside an ever increasing number of mouths to feed.

At the end of 2024, the “South Sudan Regional Refugee Response Plan” only received 27% of its funding. Due to “lack of governance” much foreign aid often fails to reach those who need it most. International governments have received criticism for not doing enough to implement long-term strategies to help relieve this humanitarian crisis. The people of South Sudan should not have to face this crisis alone; they cannot afford to experience abandonment as the consequences would be devastating.

– William Snow

William is based in Chepstow, Wales and focuses on Good News and Technologyfor The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Migration to Ecuador: An Untapped Economic Potential 

Migration to EcuadorWith a total population of approximately 18 million and an area of 276,841 square kilometers, Ecuador is one of the smallest countries on the South American continent. Due to its geographical location, it is also one of the largest host countries for hundreds of thousands of migrants. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), migration to Ecuador is significant as more than 123,000 irregular migrants cross the Ecuadorian-Colombian border each year.

Meanwhile, the UNHCR estimates that nearly 500,000 refugees, asylum seekers, or people in need of protection have remained in Ecuador in the hope of a better life. Most of these are irregular migrants from Colombia and Venezuela. These groups are at risk of marginalization due to stigmatization, discrimination and a lack of valid documentation—yet new data shows that a well-organized strategy for integrating refugees has immense potential to boost the country’s economic growth. However, since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020 the country has been struggling with serious crime issues. Drug cartels and gang crime are causing an increasing exodus of young and productive Ecuadorian workers. The result: no economic growth and a rising poverty rate.

Emigration of Productive Labor

Ecuador, once known as the “Island of Peace,” attracted immigrants from around the world due to its comparatively low homicide rate. As the Center for Strategic and International Studies reported, Ecuador’s homicide rate in 2019 stood at 6.7 per 100,000 inhabitants, making it one of the lowest among Latin American countries. 

During the pandemic, the situation shifted dramatically: Lockdowns forced businesses to close, tourism declined and oil exports fell. Ecuador’s central bank reported a 7.8% decrease in gross domestic product (GDP), while unemployment rose rapidly. Three out of 10 workers lost the jobs they held before the pandemic; half of them remained unemployed. The homicide rate jumped to 50.91 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2025.

As a result, income levels in Ecuador have changed: according to the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC), income poverty rose from 25% in 2019 to nearly 33% in 2020—1.4 million people fell into income poverty.

At the time, an undesirable but already well-researched phenomenon plagued the country: the positive correlation between poverty and crime. In other words: rising poverty leads to a higher risk of violence and crime, which, according to Ecuador’s Ombudsman’s Office (DPE), has resulted in the displacement of more than 300,000 Ecuadorians in recent years. Demographically speaking, most of them are young men of working age. A paper by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) calculated the direct cost as an average of 3.44% of the GDP annually. Indirectly, the exploding crime rates slow down economic growth.

Ecuador as a Host Country

Ecuador serves as a transit and entry country for groups from Africa, Cuba and Haiti. The country has, for decades already, been experiencing an influx of refugees from countries plagued by armed conflict and violence. Nonetheless, two main groups mark migration to Ecuador: 

Migrants from Colombia who have fled an armed conflict between guerrilla groups and the government that has been ongoing for more than 50 years. There are an estimated 130,000 to 200,000 Colombians living in Ecuador; according to the UNHCR, 94% of the more than 80,000 recognized refugees are Colombians.

In addition, Ecuador is home to Venezuelans who fled the humanitarian crisis under the Maduro regime. Around 440,000 migrants have applied for asylum, but only a small number of Venezuelans in Ecuador have valid residency documents. For Venezuelans, it takes months or even years to obtain a document such as an ID card or a passport. These delays are due to very high financial barriers, political restrictions, and the general collapse of the Venezuelan bureaucracy.

Migrants in Ecuador Face Legal Obstacles and Discrimination

The status of undocumented refugees creates significant barriers and contributes to the marginalization of these groups. At the same time it opens the door to systemic discrimination, exposes them to the risk of crime and violence, and traps refugees in a cycle of poverty. Access to housing, healthcare, education or employment appears to be significantly more difficult. Although an estimated one-third of refugees in Ecuador hold a college degree, the vast majority end up in the informal sector, with some earning a per capita income of only about $175 or less.

People in host countries often stigmatize minorities. They frequently project the violence and poverty prevalent in refugees’ countries of origin onto those seeking protection, which hinders their cultural and socio-economic integration. In crisis and conflict situations, politicians exploit fear and uncertainty for propaganda against migrants, in the hope of achieving better election results by stoking fears of competition for jobs or a strain on public finances.

Migration to Ecuador Can Boost Economic Growth

However, contrary to all the clichés, propaganda, and hate campaigns, recent statistics from the Center for Global Development (CGD) show that Venezuelan migrants are underrepresented among those detained for criminal offenses in Ecuador. In 2025, Venezuelans made up 2.4% of Ecuador’s population but accounted for only 1% of all detainees. Studies even suggest that refugees are more likely to be victims of crimes committed by their hosts than the other way around, but most of these cases remain unreported due to lack of trust in Ecuador’s authorities.

Given the country’s precarious security and economic situation, the integration of migrants is a crucial factor for economic growth and the well-being of the Ecuadorian population. As the International Organization for Migration (IOM) notes, Venezuelan migrants contribute an estimated $900 million annually to the Ecuadorian economy—simply through their consumption of goods and services. A well-thought-out bureaucratic strategy and a liberalized refugee policy could benefit the country and generate additional resources to combat gang violence and crime.

Migration and Poverty

Humanitarian aid plays a crucial role in integrating migrants into Ecuador’s society. The situation in Colombia is a prime example of how vital financial support can be for the stabilization and integration of refugees: the country has taken in over 2 million Venezuelans. Through programs such as the “Humanitarian Cash Transfer” (HCT), which was funded by USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), households received $100 per month over a six-month period.

A study conducted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimated the total cost of health care, education and other services for this period of assistance—assuming a total of 2 million refugees—at $1.3 billion. The IMF’s analysis highlights that host countries are under significant financial pressure. However, the study found a surprisingly positive impact on the countries’ productivity. Due to the growth of labor force and a better match between migrants’ human capital and available jobs, these countries are able to achieve meaningful productivity and growth gains in the medium term. The study estimates that GDP could grow by 2.5 to 4.5 percentage points by 2030. Furthermore the authors assume that the costs of integrating migrants and refugees would decrease if they gained access to the labor market due to increased economic activity and the expansion of the tax base. 

Projects such as HIAS’s Economic Empowerment Program aim to educate Venezuelans about their economic opportunities and help them develop a greater awareness of their skills and how to apply those skills in a business setting. By offering training, mentoring programs and start-up capital, Venezuelans can be integrated into the labor market. In this way, refugees are provided with a sustainable livelihood—while simultaneously contributing to a net benefit for Ecuadorian society and economic growth.

Conclusion

Migration to Ecuador plays a major role in the country’s middle-term and long-term development. In order to boost economic growth, Ecuador must tackle its national crime rate explosion. Therefore, the country needs to break its cycle of poverty, especially amongst migrants from Venezuela and Colombia. Moreover, the Ecuadorian population should recognize the potential that refugees bring to their country. Foreign aid and assistance combined with a consistent socio-economic integration strategy can provide long-term solutions for downsizing poverty and minimizing the negative effects on Ecuador’s economy.

– Oliwia Kowalak

Oliwia is based in Berlin, Germany and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Migration to Guatemala: The Struggle of Deported Migrants

Migration to GuatemalaSince the beginning of this year, the American immigration authorities have forcibly returned more than 24,000 Guatemalans to their homeland after years of building lives in the United States. For most, the trip back home represented a tragic end to their pursuit of the American dream. However, repatriation is only the beginning of their struggle, as the return is often the first chapter in the broader story of unwanted migration to Guatemala and the challenge of reintegration in a country still suffering from the very issues they fled.

Such is the story of Marvin, who lived for 20 years in the United States – where he left behind a wife and children – and now struggles to make ends meet in Guatemala, despite having owned a successful business before his deportation. Then there is Hector, a former manager in a larger American company. Having crossed the border as an infant, he spent his entire life in the U.S. before a prison stint led U.S. officials to deport him to a foreign homeland. Data and statistics often obscure individual stories like theirs. Stark examples of the struggle that Guatemalan deportees face as they try to rebuild their lives.

The Labor Barriers 

When deportees land at La Aurora International Airport, government officials receive them with snacks and beverages, before leading them into an office for a quick medical check. For the vast majority, this is the only form of support they will know. Once they leave the reception gates, they must fend for themselves.

For people like Hector and Marvin, the immediate struggle is to integrate into a low-income economy where skilled individuals often struggle to find work that fits their profile. The structural constraints are the result of a scarcity of high-productivity jobs and a mismatch between the skills acquired abroad and the domestic demand. This results in inactivity levels in the returnee population that reaches 50.3% in rural areas and 45.7% in urban areas.

Most of the deported population – 79% – are working-age men who are unable to find a stable job in a country where 68% of employment remains informal. Economic necessity often forces them to rely on low-paid, temporary and informal work in construction and agriculture.

For female deportees, reintegration can be more challenging, as they must navigate gender-based discrimination regarding women’s role in society, particularly in rural communities. For children, the experience can be traumatic, having been pulled from the only life they knew while facing the harsh realities of an underfunded education system and enduring child labor.

The Social Struggle

Some deportees must face the social stigma that comes with deportation. After years spent abroad, many struggle to reconnect on a social and cultural level while their own communities often stigmatize them, leading to social isolation.

Exposure to Guatemala’s endemic violence also threatens returnees. Street gangs often extort them under erroneous assumptions that they possess wealth. In the worst case, deportees borrowed money from usurers in order to pay smugglers, meaning that upon their return, they remain in debt with dangerous human trafficking networks, while being unable to earn a stable living due to the country’s economic conditions.

The Institutional Gaps

For most migrants, rebuilding their life in those conditions is like climbing a steep mountain of economical and social hardship. Historically, there has been an institutional vacuum regarding migration to Guatemala, reflected in the lack of coherent policy and long-term reintegration strategies, especially regarding deportations.  For the affected population, this means an absence of support in areas such as employment, housing and mental health.

Following the tightening of immigration policies in the United States, Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo announced in January 2025 the launch of a program designed to assist deported migrants upon their arrival. Known as “Plan Retorno al Hogar,” it is intended to provide immediate assistance to deportees, ensure individualized support, and connect them with services such as healthcare and education, as well as job opportunities or training programs.

However, the actual impact of the program remains questionable. In a document that Pop No’j shared with The Borgen Project – a Guatemalan association working closely with returned migrants – the organization noted that since its implementation, no noticeable changes have been observed beyond the basic reception and the creation of a registration center in Guatemala City. In their view, state support remains limited, failing to adapt to the returnee’s changing profile, now including entire families and individuals who have spent their entire lives abroad.

How Civil Society Is Filling the Void

The vacuum the government left has pushed grassroots organizations and civil society groups to fill in the gaps regarding return migration to Guatemala. Pop No’j, for instance, provided support to more than 400 returned migrants in indigenous regions between 2021 and 2024, focusing on some of the country’s most vulnerable and marginalized populations.

Similarly, organizations like Casa del Migrante, originally founded to assist the displaced population during the Guatemalan civil war, have expanded in order to meet the current needs of migrant communities. Today, Casa del Migrante provides help for transient migrants, as well as deportees. 

The work of these civil society organizations and individuals shares a common holistic approach. According to Pop No’j, it offers not only economic and social reintegration support, but also legal counsel. Its efforts are also focused on coordinating with other organizations and state institutions as much as possible.  

Support comes also from social initiatives that stem from concerned citizens. Such is the case with la Red, a restaurant and cultural center located in Guatemala’s second-largest city, Quetzaltenango. Willy Barreno, a chef and former migrant, founded it upon his return, in an effort to create employment opportunities for returned migrants, and teaching locals some of the skills he learned abroad.

Looking Ahead

Reintegration remains a struggle for deported Guatemalans. In light of the recent developments, the government responded with a program to assist returned migrants, with the results yet to be seen. Meanwhile, deported Guatemalans will always find a safety net in the solidarity of their fellow citizens.

– Mateo Montes Asturias

Mateo is based in Montpellier, France and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Migration to Bangladesh – The Rohingya Crisis

Migration to BangladeshThe Rohingya remain one of the most displaced people in the world, with more than a million Rohingya currently living as refugees outside of Myanmar and more than 3 million internally displaced. Fearing persecution, many have sought refuge in neighboring countries, including in Cox’s Bazar, the world’s largest refugee camp, in Bangladesh where they continue to face dire living conditions. Here is more information about the Rohingya and migration to Bangladesh.

Who Are the Rohingya?

The name Rohingya refers to an indigenous Muslim ethnic minority who were living in the Arakan Kingdom, which Burma, now known as Myanmar, invaded in 1784. 

Historically, Burma fell under the colonial occupation of the British during which time, the Rohingya people remained in Arakan and maintained their language and community while living alongside the Buddhist Rakhine, who resented their presence in the region. 

Disputes between the Muslim Rohingya and the Buddhist Rakhine intensified through the Japanese invasion during World War II and continued on after Myanmar gained its independence in 1948. From then on, the Myanmar government has continuously denied the Rohingya people their right to citizenship and launched systematic persecution against the Rohingya, which lasts to this day. 

The situation got drastically worse in 2017 and drove nearly half a million Rohingya out of their home country resulting in a large Rohingya migration to Bangladesh. The Rohingya people remain stateless to this day. 

Migration to Bangladesh

As of 2025, more than 1 million Rohingya refugees reside in the world’s largest refugee camp, Cox’s Bazar, in Bangladesh where living conditions are precarious. Aside from overcrowding, refugees currently face other humanitarian challenges such as:

  • Poor access to water and food 
  • Poor access to healthcare
  • Poor access to education
  • Malnutrition and spread of infections
  • Risk of exploitation and insecurity

UNICEF noted more than 235,000 refugee children between the ages of 5-17 have no access to schools, leaving them vulnerable to child trafficking and labor. Furthermore, Rohingya refugees do not have a legal right to leave the camp or to work on their own terms. On top of this, the Rohingya people are left to navigate their trauma on their own and many children are born in limbo. Currently, the Rohingya crisis is being addressed at the International Court of Justice.

Remaining Hopeful

As court proceedings unravel, many organizations continue to work on the ground to meet the needs of the Rohingya people in refugee camps. 

  • International Rescue Committee (IRC): The IRC is working to bring lifesaving aids to refugees in Cox’s Bazar, including a recently launched measles response to a major outbreak in April 2026, which includes vaccinations and other health services for 20,000 children aged 6 months to 5 years in Rohingya refugee camps. The IRC also provides child protection and education programs in the refugee camps, with more than 400 staff operating across 33 camps in Bangladesh.
  • Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF): MSF is working to provide healthcare support on the ground, including mental health support and maternity care to refugees not only in Cox’s Bazar, but all around the world. With an increasing influx of refugees arriving to Cox’s Bazar, there are increased risks of infections, which MSF staffs are helping to alleviate. In 2025, MSF launched a “test and treat” campaign, which addresses the alarming rate of hepatitis C infections among the Rohingya refugees. Of 2,136 individuals who were positive for hepatitis C, MSF has already treated 2,102 individuals.
  • UNHCR The UN Refugee Agency: Migration to Bangladesh comes with various challenges, especially weather hazards. From May to October, Bangladesh faces the monsoon season, which comes with heavy rainfall and storms. This poses an immediate threat to refugees living tents not designed to withhold such extreme weather conditions. The UNHCR has a monsoon response where staffs provide practical assistance to families impacted by the monsoon. In anticipation for the monsoon season, the UNHCR staffs provide tie-down kits to as many as 40,000 households to help them upgrade their shelters.

Looking Ahead

With recent cuts in foreign aid in the U.S. and the U.K., humanitarian efforts supporting the Rohingya community proving more challenging, the work does not stop. However, with the help of individual donors around the world, aid workers are able to continue helping refugees. The good news is that the Rohingya people now have their voices being heard at the International Court of Justice, so the world can no longer turn away.

– Marine Baume

Marine is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Migration to Chad: The Program Aiding Migrants Returning to Chad

Migration to ChadReturning migrants, or ‘returnees’ refers to individuals who move back to their country of origin. Many migrants return to Chad involuntarily and face numerous challenges as they try to reintegrate into society.

Chad’s Humanitarian Crisis 

Armed conflict, the climate crisis and food insecurity have worsened Chad’s humanitarian crisis. In 2022, 44.8% lived in poverty and rises to 50% for those living in rural areas. Migration to Chad from Sudan, the Central African Republic and Cameroon have added 1.8 million refugees to an already struggling nation. This has placed further strain on limited and stretched resources.

The Challenges of Returnees 

According to the World Bank, more than 120,000 people fled Chad in 2025. But many migrants choose to return due to risks of trafficking, detention, forced deportation and family separation. A lack of opportunities and additional difficulties in the country of transit or destination has also contributed to the decision for returning migration to Chad. More than 300,000 Chadians have gone back to the eastern part of the country due to the Sudanese conflict. 

Returnees often face unique challenges to other forms of migration to Chad. Many accumulate debt to fund their journeys and return to no assets or employment and no way to repay what they owe. This can lead to animosity from those they are indebted to. Some communities shun or shame individuals for their ‘failed’ migration attempt and competition over limited resources can create additional tensions. This can make it particularly difficult for individuals to resume the life they left behind.

The Sahel Integrated Climate Resilience and Migration Programme

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) launched the Sahel Integrated Climate Resilience and Migration Programme in 2024 to address issues returnees face across the region. The program seeks to improve access to employment opportunities, life skills training, social protection measures such as housing and education, and mental health support.

Many migrants returning to Chad experience acute psychological difficulties, such as anxiety, feelings of failure, isolation and fear. The IFRC seeks to help national societies provide counselling and support before and after migrants return to assist with reintegration. 

The programme also aims to strengthen social cohesion. Initiatives such as mothers’ clubs and farmers field schools are intended to encourage positive relationships between local communities. Returnees will also receive job opportunities, vocational training schemes and micro-entrepreneurships to empower those returning to Chad and the communities who receive them. 

Cash-based assistance will be a key aspect of the initiative. Allowing individuals and families to decide where funds are best spent creates a sustainable system in which migrants returning to Chad are encouraged to reach financial independence and stability and local economies are stimulated.

Conclusion

Migrants returning to Chad often face major reintegration challenges, including poverty, debt, stigma and limited access to resources, alongside psychological stress and social isolation. These difficulties are intensified by wider pressures such as conflict, food insecurity, and the changing climate. The Sahel Integrated Climate Resilience and Migration Programme supports returnees in their reintegration into Chadian society to help them to re-establish the lives they left behind. 

– Louise Nethercott

Louise is based in Vienna, Austria and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Support Networks for Indigenous Migrants in Mexico City

Indigenous Migrants in Mexico CityMexico City can hold out the promise of opportunity, but for many families arriving with little money or stability, it can also be difficult to navigate without proper support or infrastructure. Housing is expensive, work can be insecure and basic services are not always easy to reach. For indigenous migrants in Mexico City, those pressures could often come with another layer of difficulty, as many try to hold on to language, identity and community while adjusting to a fast-moving urban environment. Support networks can ease that transition while helping families maintain community and culture. They offer shelter, food, education and practical help. Just as importantly, they can offer the reassurance that a family is not alone in a city of more than 9 million.

Education That Makes Staying Possible

One part of that support comes through the Indigenous Education Support Program, which helps Indigenous children and young people continue their studies by providing lodging, food and support that also strengthens cultural identity. The program is especially important for students who do not have the option of continuing school in their own communities. Poverty is not only a question of income. It also shapes whether a child stays in school, eats properly and can imagine a future without being away from everything familiar. Educational support combined with daily stability gives families more room to hold things together. It also gives younger people a better chance of moving forward without losing touch with their cultural identities.

A Place to Regain Stability

A second kind of support comes through shelters such as Casa Tochán, which works with people in migration in Mexico City. Its work includes housing, medical and psychological care, job support and cultural activities, all of which give people a greater sense of stability while they try to build or rebuild their lives. Families living with poverty or displacement often need more than emergency relief. They need somewhere to rest and somewhere that makes ordinary life possible again. That sense of dignity comes through strongly in Gaby Hernández’s words when she says, “this is how we change how people migrate,” by “making others feel valued and helping them resolve the issue of work.” Shelter alone is not enough; people also need the stability that allows them to preserve dignity and cultural identity while rebuilding their lives.

The wider shelter network in Mexico City suggests that these pressures are not isolated. Shelters like CAFEMIN work with women, children and family groups arriving in the city under increasingly difficult conditions. Sister Magda’s description of current arrivals as “forced migration” shaped by violence rather than only economic need helps clarify the conditions many families are now moving through. Many are arriving after being uprooted, and that instability continues long after they reach the city. In that situation, shelter, legal support and day-to-day care are what make any kind of stability possible.

The Effects of Support

These support networks respond to need where it is actually felt. They help make sure a child can remain in school, a parent can find temporary stability and a family can avoid the stress of uncertainty. In a city as demanding as Mexico City, these are not small gestures, they are often what keeps hardship from deepening further. Support Networks for Indigenous Migrants in Mexico City is not only a story about vulnerability, but also about local and sustaining care and support. Programs and organisations may not solve every structural cause of poverty or displacement, but they can create the conditions in which indigenous migrants in Mexico City are able to hold on, rebuild and move forward with greater confidence.

– Elliott J Carter

Elliott is based in Mexico City, Mexico and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Migration to Peru: How Venezuelans Are Rebuilding Their Lives

Migration to PeruMigration to Peru has dramatically changed in recent history. Many Peruvians have left the country for better economic opportunities, but Peru has now become one of South America’s major destinations for Venezuelans in search of safety, work and a new life. According to the U.N. Refugee Agency, Peru had 530,369 Venezuelans asylum-seekers and 4,957 formally recognized refugees as of June 2025. These numbers show how migration to Peru has become an important humanitarian and economic issue for the country.

Why Venezuelans Are Migrating to Peru

Venezuela’s economic collapse became one of the main reasons for migration to Peru. In 2017, Venezuela’s annual inflation rate was 438.1%, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), making goods and services harder to afford and wages less stable. Inflation, shortages of food, medicine and essential services pushed many Venezuelans to migrate in search of safety and economic stability. Peru became an attractive destination where they could work and have a chance at a new life.

Challenges After Arrival

Despite many Venezuelans arriving in Peru with strong educational backgrounds, many have found it difficult to find jobs that match their qualifications. The Joint Data Center on Forced Displacement reports that 30% of Venezuelans in Peru have a tertiary education, compared with 21% of Peruvians. However, many Venezuelans are working low-productivity jobs, with 40% working in elementary occupations and 26% working in sales and services. This information shows that many Venezuelans are overqualified for their jobs, yet they still cannot find positions that match their degree.

One reason for this mismatch is that many Venezuelans cannot validate their degrees or professional credentials in Peru. The Joint Data Center reports that only 8% of highly educated Venezuelan migrants had validated their educational degrees, with the main barrier being the cost of the process. As a result, skilled Venezuelans may end up in lower-paying or informal work. Some have turned to digital jobs, including food delivery, where Venezuelans make up an estimated 53% of delivery workers.

Discrimination can also make the integration process harder. The Joint Data Center reports that almost one-third of Venezuelans in Peru have experienced some form of discrimination, and the percentage is higher among those with higher levels of education. Public perception can influence access to employment, including false ideas that Venezuelans are taking jobs or increasing crime. These obstacles show that migration to Peru is not only about arrival but also about access to work, legal recognition and social acceptance.

Organizations Helping Migrants Integrate

Organizations such as the U.N. Refugee Agency and Education Cannot Wait have made efforts to support Venezuelans. The U.N. Refugee Agency helps Venezuelans by providing legal protection, documentation and access to basic services. Through protection spaces and partner organizations, UNHCR provides guidance on rights, refugee status, migration procedures and available services. It has also connected Venezuelans with health services, education and employment support. As of 2025, UNHCR had assisted 39,029 people, supported 557 families with case management and provided legal assistance to 2,885 people. These efforts have helped Venezuelans move from emergency survival toward long-term integration in Peru.

Education Cannot Wait has also helped Venezuelans in Peru by supporting children’s access to education. Since 2019, ECW has supported the Government of Peru and national partners through $1.8 million in emergency grants and a $7.4 million Multi-Year Resilience Programme. These programs helped refugee, migrant and host-community children access education, recover from COVID-19 learning loss and stay safe in schools. Its 2024–2027 Multi-Year Resilience Programme aims to reach 50,850 children and adolescents in Metropolitan Lima and La Libertad. The program supports learning recovery, school materials, teacher training, children with disabilities and violence-prevention efforts, helping Venezuelan children continue their education while making schools more inclusive for migrants and local communities.

Looking Ahead

Venezuelans have made Peru their second home, even while facing challenges such as low-productivity jobs, discrimination and difficulty validating their degrees. However, support from the Peruvian government, UNHCR, ECW and other organizations has helped expand access to documentation, education and safer communities. With continued support, migration to Peru can become not only a story of displacement, but also one of recovery, integration and rebuilding lives.

– Mateo Alcocer

Mateo is based in West Hills, CA, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Reality of Immigrant Credential Recognition in Canada

Immigrant Credential RecognitionAhmad Salem and his family arrived in Winnipeg in December 2016. He was less than a year away from earning a degree in English-to-Arabic translation when war forced them to leave. They escaped to begin a new life in Canada.

Many highly trained immigrants arrive in Canada expecting to continue the same jobs they were trained for in their home country. However, upon arrival, they face unexpected challenges. Immigrant credential recognition is not assured in Canada. This is what happened to Salem. 

Barriers in Canada’s current credential recognition system mean many immigrants cannot work in the fields for which they were trained before coming to the country. This system failure has adverse effects on individuals, the workforce and the broader economy. Salem’s story is not unique.

Data from Statistics Canada shows that only 44% of people who immigrated to Canada in the last decade work in jobs that match their training.

How Immigrant Recognition Works in Canada

In Canada, immigrant credential recognition is the process of evaluating education and professional qualifications received outside Canada. A British Columbia-based website describes it as a program “funded by the Federal Government of Canada to help Skilled Newcomers get back into their professional fields or alternative related career fields.”

The immigrant credential recognition system is complex and decentralized. Although the federal government supports the integration of newcomers into the workforce, provincial regulatory bodies control licensing. This creates an inconsistent, fragmented system. Depending on provincial regulations, immigrants may need additional exams, Canadian work experience, bridging programs or further education before they can practice in their fields, particularly in health care, engineering and teaching.

Salem’s goal was to become an English teacher. He had nearly finished his university education in Syria and assumed he could complete it in Canada. This didn’t happen. He was told he needed to complete four years of high school to be eligible to apply to a university education program. None of his courses at a Syrian university was recognized. 

“That’s too much! It’s going to take me forever to do that. So, I decided, no, I’m going to start something new and related to helping youth and young kids at the same time,” he told The Borgen Project in an interview.

Barriers Affecting Immigrants in Canada

Systemic barriers, as those Salem faced, delay and even prevent the recognition of immigrants’ credentials. As in Salem’s situation, it can take years for an immigrant to pass the required regulatory exams or meet provincial licensing requirements. Immigrants must also compete with local candidates for jobs regardless of their work experience from their countries of origin.

These barriers result in social and economic consequences: first and foremost, underemployment. Data from the 2021 census shows that more than 25% of immigrants with foreign degrees worked in jobs that required only a high school diploma or less, compared with 10.6% among Canadian-educated workers. Financial consequences for underemployed immigrants include frustration, loss of professional identity and lack of career advancement. 

Canada recruits skilled immigrant workers but cannot fully utilize their experience. This means that, despite the many talented immigrants entering the country, sectors such as health care, skilled trades and engineering still face shortages. These shortages ultimately affect the entire Canadian population in the long term.

Salem chose not to pursue the eight years of training required to obtain his education degree. Instead, he found a related job working with children and youth through Child and Family Services. He plans to pursue a degree in social work through an online program at the University of Victoria. 

“I think I was just lucky that I had the chance to find a path that was connected to what I know back home. I… was supported by the Manitoba Jobs and Employment Organization… I was open to anything I could find here. So that helped me, but at the same time, I didn’t do what I wanted to do before, teaching,” he said.

The Cost of Overqualification for Immigrants in Canada

Overqualified workers in the workplace often have lower productivity and less job satisfaction. Highly educated immigrants are more likely to be overqualified than Canadian-born workers. A study by the C.D. Howe Institute found that 22% of family-class immigrants and 19% of refugees are overqualified, compared to 16% of economic immigrants.

Because of barriers in the immigrant credential recognition system and language difficulties, immigrants tend to enter the workforce and advance more slowly in their careers than Canadian-born workers. In fact, 40%–44% of immigrants say these challenges are the main reasons for their slower career progress. 

Underutilizing immigrants’ skills carries significant economic consequences for Canada. According to Generation1.ca, underemployment of immigrants results in a minimum annual loss of $12.7 billion in earnings for employers. In addition, the Government of Canada has calculated that immigrant underemployment results in a $50 billion loss in GDP, equivalent to 2.5% of the economy.

Closing Remarks

Canada’s immigration policy is contradictory: it selects skilled immigrants but limits their ability to use those skills. Despite efforts to improve foreign credential recognition, structural and interprovincial challenges remain. Immigrants need better pre-arrival guidance on licensing and streamlined regulatory systems. When successful, skilled immigrants make valuable contributions to research, entrepreneurship and technology.

Salem came to Canada hoping to become a teacher. However, like many skilled newcomers, he was forced to change course when his credentials weren’t recognized. His story reflects a broader systemic problem: a complex, fragmented process that prevents immigrants from working at their full potential, despite recent efforts to improve coordination and prearrival information.

The impact goes beyond individual setbacks. When skilled immigrants can’t work in their fields, Canada loses talent, productivity and innovation. A more streamlined credential recognition system could help newcomers integrate faster. Furthermore, this would strengthen key sectors and build stable careers—reducing the gap between the promise of immigration and its reality.

– Caleb Dueck

Caleb is based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Freepik

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Migration to Puerto Rico

Migration to Puerto RicoOutward migration long defined Puerto Rico, as hundreds of thousands of residents left the island over the past two decades. Between 2010 and 2020, Puerto Rico’s population declined by 11.8%, falling from about 3.7 million to 3.3 million residents. Following Hurricane Maria, migration accelerated, with approximately 97,000 people leaving the island in 2017 alone. These sustained outflows reduced the labor force and contributed to long-term economic challenges, including workforce shortages and declining tax revenue.

In recent years, migration to Puerto Rico has begun to shift, although outmigration still exceeds inflows. In 2024, about 25,000 people moved to Puerto Rico from the mainland United States, while approximately 38,000 residents left, showing a continued but narrowing population loss. Return migration has increased as Puerto Ricans relocate from states such as Florida and New York, while migrants from across Latin America and the Caribbean also arrive seeking economic stability. These changing migration patterns now play a growing role in shaping labor markets, housing demand and public services.

Who Is Migrating to Puerto Rico?

Many groups contribute to migration to Puerto Rico, each with distinct economic impacts. Puerto Ricans returning from the mainland often bring savings, remote income or professional experience. Migrants from the Dominican Republic and Venezuela frequently seek employment in construction, tourism and domestic labor, where wages tend to be lower and job security limited. According to the Migration Policy Institute, these sectors rely heavily on migrant labor to meet workforce demand, particularly during post-disaster reconstruction and tourism expansion.

Mainland U.S. investors and remote workers have also increased migration to Puerto Rico under Act 60. These individuals often relocate to high-demand areas, contributing to rising property values and increased housing demand. While this investment supports economic growth, it can also increase housing costs for local residents, particularly in coastal and urban regions.

Migration to Puerto Rico and Poverty

Migration to Puerto Rico has helped address labor shortages, but poverty remains widespread. According to the World Bank, Puerto Rico’s income inequality remains high, with a Gini index above 0.54, one of the highest among U.S. jurisdictions. Many workers in tourism, construction and service industries earn wages that do not keep pace with the cost of living, increasing financial vulnerability even among employed individuals.

Housing demand has increased alongside migration, placing pressure on affordability. Research from Harvard DRCLAS identifies rising property values and short-term rental growth as key drivers of displacement in communities such as San Juan. Reports from Foundation for Puerto Rico also show that tourism development has increased demand for housing, particularly in coastal areas, making it more difficult for low-income residents to secure stable housing.

Language barriers, limited documentation and restricted access to services further affect migrants. These challenges limit access to health care, education and stable employment, increasing the likelihood of long-term economic hardship.

Economic Growth, Tourism and Inequality

Puerto Rico’s economy has expanded over time, but growth remains uneven. According to the World Bank, GDP growth data shows consistent long-term expansion in economic output, measured in constant 2015 U.S. dollars. Migration supports industries such as construction, tourism and services, which contribute to job creation and economic activity. However, GDP growth does not account for income distribution or cost-of-living differences.

Tourism plays a major role in employment. In 2024, visitors spent approximately $7.1 billion in Puerto Rico, supporting more than 115,000 jobs in hotels, restaurants and leisure services. Economic forecasts from the Puerto Rico Oversight Board indicate that while tourism remains strong, overall economic growth has slowed, with projections showing flat or modest growth in the near term. The labor market remains stable, but part-time employment has increased and younger workers face higher unemployment rates.

Despite this activity, inequality persists. Inflation in essential goods continues to outpace wage growth, and federal disaster recovery funding—while significant—has faced delays in distribution. These conditions limit the extent to which economic growth improves living standards for low-income households.

Organizations Supporting Migrants and Low-Income Families

The Hispanic Federation has operated in Puerto Rico since 2017, investing more than $54 million in recovery and resiliency efforts. The organization has supported more than 250 solar energy installations across schools and community centers and provided disaster assistance following multiple hurricanes. Its programs focus on housing, energy access and community development, directly benefiting migrants and low-income families.

The Community Foundation of Puerto Rico supports economic development through grants, small business funding and workforce programs. The foundation invests in community-based initiatives that help residents—including migrants—access employment, develop businesses and improve long-term financial stability.

Catholic Extension leads a large-scale rebuilding effort that includes restoring more than 600 churches, schools and community facilities across Puerto Rico. These projects create jobs, strengthen infrastructure and support long-term community recovery in areas experiencing natural disasters.

Following Hurricane Fiona, the FEMA provided approximately $574 million in assistance to more than 712,000 households. Disaster recovery centers and outreach programs helped residents access housing support, legal aid and rebuilding resources.

Caritas Puerto Rico serves approximately 75,000 people annually across 60 municipalities, providing food distribution, disaster relief, counseling and community support services. Its programs support migrants and vulnerable populations by addressing both immediate needs and long-term development.

Conclusion

Migration to Puerto Rico continues to reshape the island’s economic and social landscape. Migration supports labor markets and economic activity, particularly in tourism, construction and service industries. However, rising housing costs, persistent income inequality and limited access to services continue to affect both migrants and long-term residents.

Targeted policies that expand affordable housing, improve workforce development and strengthen social services can help ensure that migration to Puerto Rico supports economic stability rather than deepening inequality.

– Kianna Hines

Kianna is based in Brooklyn, NY, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Investment in Africa: How the UK Aims To Reduce Migration

Investment in AfricaThe U.K. has recently seen a rise in politicians attempting to decrease migration into the country, especially via small boats, which are often unsafe for passengers and can lead to fatalities. A part of these efforts involves investment in Africa, with the intention of creating job opportunities. This initiative is currently focused on Ethiopia.

The British foreign ministry stated that almost a third of people traversing the English Channel on “small boats over the past two years” had departed from the Horn of Africa, which Ethiopia is a part of.

UK Foreign Minister’s Visit to Ethiopia

During a visit to Ethiopia, the U.K. Foreign Secretary met with Safaricom, a company supported by British International Investment. Safaricom provides technological connectivity and mobile money services across East Africa and has helped improve health, employment and education in Kenya. One of its subsidiaries, focused on Ethiopia, supported the country’s “digital transformation” in 2022.

During the visit, the secretary signed a Joint Development Agreement with Gridworks to proceed with two projects, which will cost more than $400 million. The Foreign Secretary also pledged financial support toward aid efforts in Africa, totaling $23.91 million. The aim is to improve access to health care, clean water and food, as well as to tackle women’s and children’s malnutrition.

Gridworks, which is also a British International Investment-backed organization, aims to increase investment in Africa from companies and businesses by providing electrical access. In Africa, “around 600 million people have no access to electricity.” This is a major barrier to economic growth because businesses must use diesel generators to supplement the lack of electricity in the area.

Safaricom and Its Impacts

Safaricom provides technological connectivity in Kenya, providing “2G, 3G, 4G and 5G in aggregate covering [more than] 99% of Kenya’s population.” It currently enables 32 million people to access and use mobile banking. This has lowered financial exclusion in the area to 16% of the adult population.

The organization is also committed to gender equality and sustainable climate practices; it wishes to have “50:50 senior management gender parity by 2025” and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Safaricom has two foundations: the M-PESA Foundation and the Safaricom Foundation.

The former is responsible for the Citizens of the Future project, which has contributed hugely to education in Kenya. The project has helped more than 2.5 million students and teachers across more than 2,500 schools. The Citizens of the Future project has also helped renovate schools, improve ICT and provide scholarships.

Furthermore, it involves local communities in its work so they can understand changes made within the school. One beneficiary of the Citizens of the Future project, Mrs. Rebecca Asiko, Acting Head of Institution at Ekwanda Primary School, told Safaricom, “The state-of-the-art ICT hub means we can now teach our learners digital skills and the modern kitchen will ensure that we provide clean meals to the children, who need good nutrition to grow and concentrate in class.”

The Safaricom Foundation invests in health, education and economic empowerment. Its health focus is on “Maternal, Newborn, Adolescent and Child Health (RMNCAH) services.” It helps provide screenings for cardiovascular diseases, cancers, respiratory diseases and diabetes to “enable early detection, treatment and management.”

Its educational goals are similar to those of the M-PESA Foundation: improving teacher capacity and vocational and technical education. Through “enterprise development,” it aims to improve livelihoods and empower Kenyans economically. Improving education is also likely to increase investment in Africa, as a more educated workforce attracts more businesses to the region.

It also opens up more opportunities for employment for the population, which further improves the local economy as residents begin to have disposable income that they can then spend at local businesses.

Gridworks and Its Impacts

The Joint Development Agreement will allow Gridworks to create two transmission projects. These projects aim to meet Ethiopia’s industrial energy demand and, if successful, would help fuel its economy by attracting more investment from businesses in Africa. It would also improve its relations with neighboring countries and promote interconnectedness.

Gridworks has also succeeded with projects like the Moyi Power initiative in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which brought renewable energy to three previously isolated cities. Within five years, the project is expected to provide electricity to 37,000 households and businesses.

Conclusion

While these projects aim to attract investment to Africa and strengthen local economies, foreign aid still matters. Foreign investment not only makes these projects possible but also supports humanitarian work across the region.

UNICEF, which has assisted Ethiopia for more than 70 years, has played a major role in shaping the country’s economy. Its work focuses on children’s survival, health, social policy, protection, education, development and nutrition.

The U.K. Foreign Secretary recognizes the need for continued aid and has pledged to keep supporting organizations such as UNICEF while also investing in economic-focused projects.

– Ryan Cowen

Ryan is based in Brighton, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr