Abstract

GOMEZ JOHNSON, Cristina  and  ESPINOSA MORENO, Fernanda. Transformations in Contemporary Migrations in Mexico (2000-2019). An Approach to Violence and to the Process of Application for Asylum. Estud. Polit. [online]. 2020, n.58, pp.17-44. ISSN 0121-5167.  https://doi.org/10.17533/udea.espo.n58a02.

This article documents the impact of sustained violence against Mexican, Colombian, Venezuelan and Central American citizens in their migration processes, and highlights the degree of voluntariness or involuntary nature of these acts of violence. Based on literary review, semi-structured interviews, participant observation and the analysis of official databases, we study the transformation of contemporary migrations in and through Mexico (2000-2019) from three aspects: 1) the evolution of Mexico-United States migration policy; 2) the impact of violence on migrants (typical of the contexts of origin, transit and destination); and 3) the increase in refugee applications that makes of Mexico a destination country and not just a transit country (with all the observations and enormous challenges that this transformation implies). The study concludes that the trigger for migrant caravans is the violence in the country of origin. This forced displacement functions as a defense strategy against human rights violations, both by organized crime and by the immigration authorities. Under this context, the response to asylum demands in Mexico has been insufficient.

Keywords : Migration; Violence; Forced Displacement; Refuge; Central America; Mexico.

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