October-December, 2017

Migration flows report in Mesoamerica N°5 (October-December, 2017) Mesoamerican Migrants Central American migrants detained by Mexican immigration authorities

According to immigration statistics registered by Mexican authorities, during the last quarter of 2017, the number of events* of detention of migrants from Central American countries showed a slight increase compared to the July-September quarter of the same year. There were 566 more events, which represents an increase of 2.58%. Events* of migrants detained by Mexican immigration authorities

32,728 20,010

2016

41,525

Comparing the period October- December 2017 with the same period for 2017, the decrease was of 55.36%.

38,976

38,200

21,973

17,477

During the October-December period of 2017, the number of migrant children presented before Mexican immigration authorities, increased16.73% in comparison to the previous quarter. Despite this increase, the total number of these cases is still considerably lower than that registered in 2016, with a decrease of 53.76%

22,539

Cases of migrant children presented before Mexican immigration authorities

2017 Jan-Mar

Apr-Jun

Jul-Sept

Oct-Dec

During 2016 and 2017, the largest number of events were recorded in the April-June 2016 quarter, while throughout 2017 the trend remained relatively stable during all quarters. Source: Migration Policy Unit, SEGOB.

Events* of migrant detentions by Mexican immigration authorities (Total 2016 and 2017)

151,429

45,87%

81,999

2016

2017

The total number of events of migrant detention recorded in 2016 was 151,429; in 2017 81,999. This represents a decrease in the number of detention events by 45.87% in relation to the number registered in 2016. Source: Migration Policy Unit, SEGOB.

2016 2017

6,789 4,482 Jan-Mar

10,020

9,081 3,029 Apr-Jun

12,176 5,435

4,656

Jul-Sept

Oct-Dec

Source: Migration Policy Unit, SEGOB.

The same trend is observed in the case of apprehensions of migrant children at the southwestern border of the United States. The data indicates a decrease of 30.92% in the total number of cases registered during the fiscal year 2017, compared to those registered in the fiscal year 2016. Disaggregated by nationality, the most marked decrease in 2017 corresponds to cases of Salvadoran children, having registered a 47.79% decrease in the total number, compared to 2016. Apprehensions of migrant children at the southwestern border of the United States

Countries with the highest recorded detentions by Mexican immigration authorities

Country

Guatemala Honduras El Salvador

TOTAL

2016

62,278

54,226

33,531

150,035

2017

36,707

32,029

12,400

81,136

The data recorded by the Migration Policy Unit of SEGOB shows that in 2016 and 2017, the number of migration detention events mostly involved nationals from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador (in that order), representing 99% of all detentions carried out anually.

El Salvador Fiscal year 2016 Fiscal year 2017

9,143

Guatemala Honduras

10,468 7,784

Mexico

8,877

17,512 14,827

18,913

Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Source: Migration Policy Unit, SEGOB. *The term “events” means that there can include several detentions per person

The data is the responsibility of the sources.

Migration flows report in Mesoamerica N°5 (October-December, 2017) Mesoamerican Migrants Mesoamerican migrants returned

Asylum applications from Central Americans

Of the Mesoamerican migrants returned from Mexico, those from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador represent the largest proportion. According to data from SEGOB, 2017 there was a considerable decrease in the number of Central American migrants returned by Mexican authorities. During 2016 there were 150,919 returns of Central Americans, compared to 76,433 registered in 2017, a decrease of 49.35%.

According to Canadian immigration authorities data, refugee protection claims by Salvadorans increased in 2017. During the January-September 2017 period, 564 refugee protection claims were requested. This number which includes the claims of only the first 9 months of the year, already shows an increase of 131%, compared to the total number registered in 2016. Asylum applications from Salvadorans in Canada

Events of migrants returned** by Mexican immigration authorities

2016

62,299

53,857 35,133 29,002 1,312 718 32 21 24 7 Belize Costa Rica El Salvador Guatemala Honduras Nicaragua

2017

33,384 11,542

TOTAL:

11 10 Panama 150,919

76,433

** This refers to the return of migrants to their country of origin who did not observe the provisions contained in the Migration Law and its Regulations, as provided for in articles 111, 115 and 122 of said Law and articles 242 and 243 of its Regulations, prior to the administrative filing process, as established in article 99 of the same Law. Assisted return events: Events of migrants aged 18 and over, who requested the benefit of assisted return to their country of origin, as provided for in articles 111, 115, 118 and 119 of the Migration Law and of Article 193 of its Regulations, after filing an administrative proceeding as established in Article 99 of the same Law. Events of assisted return of minors: Returns of children under 18 years of age returned to their country of origin, according to the provisions of articles 111, 112, 115 and 120 of the Migration Law and article 193 of its Regulations.

Source: Migration Policy Unit, SEGOB.

Conversely, per the data reported by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE), the decrease of deportations between 2016 and 2017 of Mesoamerican migrants was of 10%. The main nationalities that were deported in both years continued being Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. Mesoamerican migrants deported by ICE authorities

149,821 128.765

Fiscal year 2016 Fiscal year 2017

33,940 33,570 20,538 18,838

TOTAL:

2016 Source: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

64 69 Panama

The following table presents the evolution of asylum claims made in Mexico by nationals of Central American countries. The nationals of countries of the Northern Triangle of Central America represent the largest groups of asylum seekers in Mexico in both years. Central American applicants for refugee status in Mexico

2016

Honduras El Salvador

227,429 204,688

437 676

Guatemala Nicaragua

Mexico

2017 Jan-Sept

At this time, there is no clear explanation for the increase in the number of refugee protection claims requested by Salvadorans in Canada; however, some sources have indicated that the cancellation of the Temporary Protected Status for Salvadorans (TPS) in the United States could be the main explanation for this increase. Some of the beneficiaries of TPS, before its cancellation, could be in search of international protection in other countries and especially in Canada.

2017

21,994 22,381

120 82 157 151 795 832 Belize Costa Rica El Salvador Guatemala Honduras Nicaragua

564

244 244

Panama Costa Rica

3,493 3,708

4,129 4,272

62 1 4 2

Source: Mexican Commission for Refugee Aid

Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency

The data is the responsibility of the sources.

Migration flows report in Mesoamerica N°5 (October-December, 2017) Extra-regional Migrants: from Africa and Asia Extra-regional migrants detained by Mexican immigration authorities

The number of detention events of extra-regional migrants from Africa and Asia carried out by Mexican immigration authorities has shown notable changes over the past two years. In the case of Asian migrants, the data shows an increase of almost 10% and, in the case of African migrants, the registers show a remarkable decrease of 44%.

Extra-regional migrants in an irregular situation in Honduras

The National Institute of Migration of Honduras for 2016 and 2017, collected data on the number of extra-regional migrants in an irregular situation in the country. This data reflects that in 2017 there was an increase of 80% in the number of Asian migrants detected in an irregular migratory situation; while, in the case of African migrants, the decrease observed was 61%, compared to 2016. Entry of irregular migrants of extra-regional origin to Honduras

In 2017, nationals of India remained the largest group of Asian migrants who were detained in Mexico; while Eritrean nationals became the main group of African migrants detained in Mexico.

Extra-regional migrants seeking refugee status in Mexico

6

Source: Mexican Commission for Refugee Aid (COMAR)

2,106

1,196

568

328

490

Fiscal year 2016 Fiscal year 2017

ro o Ca me

Isr ae

l

n

107 63 103 53 81 29 58

ya

s

27

er ia

197 183 182 21

Ke n

203

Lib

128

94

pin e

305

ilip

242

312

ga l

460

ne

353

Se

398

525

es h

521

Ph

22 11

Extra-regional migrants deported by ICE authorities, by nationality

lad

105 81 24

According to data from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE), the main countries of origin of extra-regional migrants deported in 2017 were:

a

Cameroon Israel Ghana Somalia Congo

Main countries of origin of extra-regional migrants deported by US authorities

ng

9 7

Bangladesh

Ba

23

Cameroon

198

Refugee applications 2017

16

Eritrea

an

Extra-regional migrants requesting the largest number of asylum claims in Mexico, by nationality, 2016-2017

Cameroon Ghana Iraq Syria Togo

India

Source: General Directorate of Migration and Immigration, Costa Rica

The Mexican Commission for Refugee Aid (COMAR, in the acronym for Spanish) records data on asylum claims made by extra-regional migrants in Mexico. The data reports that, by nationality, the nationals of Cameroon made up the greatest number of asylum claims in 2016 and 2017. In 2017 an increase of over 356% in the number of Cameroonians claiming asylum was registered in comparison to the total recorded in 2016. Also during 2017, nationals of Israel were the second national group with the highest number of requests (81), followed by nationals of Ghana (24), Somalia (22) and Congo (11).

Refugee applications 2016

Nepal

Gh

Source: Migration Policy Unit, SEGOB. Note: There may be several events per person.

Extra-regional nationalities receiving the largest number of entry and transit permits in Costa Rica

ria

Africa

ge

Asia

Africa

Entry and transit permits issued in Costa Rica for extra-regional migrants

Ni

2,187

Asia

During 2017, the General Directorate of Immigration of Costa Rica issued a total of 5,736 entry and transit permits for extra-regional migrants. The following table shows the extra-regional nationalities to whom the largest number of permits of this type were granted.

ia

3,910

1,792

954

531

Source: National Institute of Migration of Honduras

Ind

4,832 5,268

2017

D. R Co of ng o

2017

4,544

2016

ma lia

2016

During 2016, the largest number of extra-regional migrants who were detained by Mexican immigration authorities were, in the case of Asian migrants, nationals of India; while, in the case of African migrants, the largest group was composed of nationals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

So

Events* of extra-regional migrants presented to the Mexican immigration authorities, 2016-2017

When comparing these data with those of 2016, there is an increase in these deportations for 2017. In the case of Somalis, the increase was over 163%. Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

The data is the responsibility of the sources.

Migration flows report in Mesoamerica N°5 (October-December, 2017) Venezuelan migrants Applicants for refugee status in Mexico

Residence permits granted to Venezuelans in Panama

During 2017, asylum claims submitted by Venezuelans in Mexico increased substantially in relation to 2016. In 2017 4,042 claims were filed, an increase of 3,681 applicants from 2016. This represents an increase of about 1019%.

During the last few years, Panama has been an important destination country for Venezuelan migrants. This is reflected in the growth in number of residence permits granted in Panama to Venezuelans. The records of 2017 indicate a growth of 49.12% in relation to the total number of residence permits granted to Venezuelans in 2016. In 2017, 8,710 residence requests were processed and 6,882 were approved.

In 2017, asylum claims requested by Venezuelans in Mexico represented 27.69% of the total number of asylum claims received by Mexico; while in 2016, asylum claims by Venezuelans represented only 4.1% of the total. Source: Mexican Commission for Refugee Aid (COMAR)

4,042 361

810 566

2017 Jan-Sep

2016

Source: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

2016

2017

Deportations, expulsions and returns

2017

Refugee protection claims in Canada

During all of 2016, approximately 566 applications were registered, and between January and September, 2017, 810 requests were registered.

4,615

Source: National Migration Service of Panama

2016

The numbers for refugee protection claims of Venezuelans in Canada for alleged persecution showed a notable increase in the period January-September, 2017. This is an increase of 43% compared to the total registered in 2016.

6,882

In 2017, the number of Venezuelan nationals who were deported, expelled and returned from Panama showed a significant increase in relation to 2016 figures. In 2017 there were 1,217 more deportations, expulsions and returns of Venezuelans than those registered the year prior, an increase of over 1500%.

1,297 80 2016

Source: National Migration Service of Panama

2017

According to data reported by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE), during 2017 there was an increase of 36.26% in the number of Venezuelan migrants deported from the United States.

Applicants for refugee status in Costa Rica

During 2017, Costa Rica received a total of 6,101 asylum claims. Of this number, 50.22%, or 3,064 were requested by Venezuelans. Additionally, the General Directorate of Migration shows that during 2017, 71 refugee claims were granted and 773 were denied.

3,064

Venezuelan migrants deported by ICE authorities

182

248

FY2016

FY2017

1,423 200 2015

2016

2017

Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency

Source: General Directorate of Migration and Immigration, Costa Rica

The data is the responsibility of the sources.

Migration flows report in Mesoamerica N°5 (October-December, 2017) Cuban and Haitian migrants Events of Cuban and Haitian migrants detained 1 by Mexican immigration authorities between 2016 and 2017

Data on the number of detentions of Haitian and Cuban migrants to Mexican immigration authorities showed a decline from 2016 to 2017. The number of detentions of Cubans decreased by 80%; while those of Haitians decreased by 93% from 2016 to 2017. New changes in the United States immigration policies and the cancellation of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians have been pointed out as main reasons for the decrease in the flow of Cuban and Haitian migrants, which could be the cause of the decrease in the number of detections and detentions.

Cuban and Haitian asylum seekers in Mexico

Data on asylum claims in Mexico by Haitians and Cubans showed an increase in 2017 over 2016: the number of claims by Cubans increased approximately in 750 cases, in relation to the number registered in 2016 (increase of 1751.16%). For Haitians, data shows an increase of 390 requests in 2017 over 2016, an increase over 825%. Refuge applications submitted by Haitian and Cuban migrants in Mexico 2016-2017

When referring to detentions the term used by Mexican Immigration Authorities is “Presentations”, which are detainees in INM holding centers, under the administrative procedure for not declaring their immigration status as contemplated in articles 99, 112, 113 of the Migration Act and in accordance with article 222 of its rules of procedure.

Cubans

2016

Events of Cuban and Haitian migrants detained by Mexican migratory authorities, 2016-2017

Haitians

2017

1.

17,078

2016 2017

4,338

796

Source: Mexican Commission for Refugee Aid (COMAR)

1,192

887

Haitians

This downward trend in the number of detentions has remained consistent throughout the year. In 2017, while 585 detentions of Cubans and 737 of Haitians were recorded during the January-March quarter, 76 detentions of Cubans and 10 of Haitians were recorded during the October-December quarter. Migrants of Cuban and Haitian nationality detained by Mexican immigration authorities, 2017

According to information by the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP), at the southwestern border of the United States, there was a marked decrease in the number of Cubans declared inadmissible. In fiscal year 2017, a total of 15,410 cases were registered, a decrease of 63% from 2016. In the case of Haitians declared inadmissible at the southwestern border of the United States, the trend is different. Fiscal year 2017 showed an increase of 43.3% registered in comparison with the total number registered in 2016. Source: U.S Customs and Border Protection, Southwest Border Inadmissibles 2017

Cuban and Haitian migrants declared inadmissible at the southwest border of the United States for fiscal years 2016 and 2017

737 585

41,523 390

Haiti 124 Jan-Mar

436

Cuban and Haitian migrants declared inadmissible in the United States

Cubans

Cuba

43

Apr-Jun

Cubans 102

55

Jul-Sep

Source: Migration Policy Unit, SEGOB *The term “events” means that there can include several detentions per person

76

10 Oct-Dec

Haitians

15,410 6,424 FY 2016

9,206

FY 2017

Source: U.S Customs and Border Protection, Southwest Border Inadmissibles 2017

The data is the responsibility of the sources.

Migration flows report in Mesoamerica N°5 (October-December, 2017) Cuban and Haitian migrants Refugee Protection Claims by Haitians in Canada

Haitian and Cuban migrants deported from the United States

Refugee protection claims of Haitian migrants due to alleged persecution by Haitian migrants in Canada increased during 2017 in relation to 2016. During all of 2016, these requests reached 631; whereas, in the January-September 2017 period, these had already risen to 6,249. In 2017, the largest number of refugee protection claims in Canada were Haitian nationals.

The deportations of persons of Haitian and Cuban nationality from the United States increased considerably in 2017. In the case of Haitians, there was an increase of almost 1700% in the number of deportations and an increase of 50% of Cubans.

Various sources have pointed to the cancellation of the Temporary Protection Status for Haitians in the United States as one of the main explanations for this increase.

Changes in migration policies, as well as the end of the Temporary Protection Status (TPS) for Haitians and the cancellation of the dry foot, wet foot policy for Cubans could be the primary reasons for the increase in deportations of Haitians and Cubans. Haitian and Cuban migrants deported from the United States 5,578

Refugee protection claims by Haitians in Canada

Haiti Cuba

6,249 631 2016

Jan-Sept 2017 310

Source: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

160

64

FY 2016

FY 2017

Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE)

Credits: Document prepared by the IOM Regional Office for Central America, North America and the Caribbean. Direction: Marcelo Pisani, Regional Director. Editing: Salvador Gutiérrez, Regional Liaison and Policy Officer Research and Development: Gabriela Rodríguez, Research Assistant. Sofía Arce, Information and Statistics Media and Communications: Jorge Gallo, Regional Communications Officer. Design and layout: Ana Marcela Cerdas, Graphic Designer

Acknowledgements: This report would not have been possible without the collaboration of Cristopher Gascón (Chief of Mission) and Andremar Galván from OIM Mexico; Jorge Peraza (Chief of Mission of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras) and Antonio Meoño from OIM Guatemala; Marisol Calix and Evelyn IOM Honduras, and the Information Management Initiative of Human Mobility in the Northern Triangle (NTMI) team; Roeland De Wilde (Chief of Mission) and Mayvelline González from IOM Costa Rica; Santiago Paz (Chief of Mission) and Rocío Dutary from IOM Panama. IOM is especially grateful to the Mexican Commission for Refugee Aid, the Ministry of the Interior (Migration Policy Unit) of Mexico, the General Directorate of Migration of Guatemala, the National Institute of Migration of Honduras, the General Directorate of Migration and Immigration of Costa Rica, the National Migration Service of Panama, and the National Border Service of Panama. The data is the responsibility of the sources.

Migration flows report in Mesoamerica N°5 (October-December, 2017) Main changes in migration policies in the countries of the region 2017-2018 PANAMA:

UNITED STATES

May 29: Decree No. 269.

January 12, 2017:

The permitted time to stay as a tourist in Panama was shortened to 90 days for Venezuelans, Colombians and Nicaraguans. The government sustains the measure is needed in order to exercise effective migration management. It takes into account the large number of people of these nationalities, who after entering as tourists, perform other types of activities other than tourism, without requesting change of immigration status. Effective as of May 31, 2017. August 23: Decree 473. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has been included in the list of countries that require a stamped visa to enter Panamanian territory. Effective as of October 1, 2017. Source: National Migration Service

HONDURAS: November 19, 2017 The Secretary of State of the Offices of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announce that the Government of Honduras changed process to request visa category "C" for Venezuelans: all Venezuelan citizens will need a Consulted Visa as an entry requirement. Effective as of November 19, 2017. Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

IOM Regional Office for Central America, North America and the Caribbean

www.rosanjose.iom.int

The United States put an end to the "dry foot, wet foot" policy for Cubans. This policy stated that all Cubans intercepted by US authorities at sea would be returned to Cuba, but those who touched US land could potentially remain in the United States by obtaining a work and residence permit. Effective as of January 12, 2017 December 15, 2017. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of the United States announced the cancellation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Nicaraguan nationals. Effective as of January 5, 2019. September 5, 2017, The United States Attorney General announced that the United States would end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Effective as of March 5, 2018. January 18, 2018, The Government of the United States announced the cancellation of the Protected Status for nationals of El Salvador. Effective as of September 9, 2019. January 18, 2018. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the cancellation of the Temporary Protected Status for Haitians. Effective as of July 22, 2019. Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE)

@OIMCentroAmer /OIMCentroNorteAmerica

The data is the responsibility of the sources.