Mixed Migratory Flows and Durable Mixed Migratory Flows and Durable Solutions in the CaribbeanSolutions in the Caribbean

San Jose, Costa RicaSan Jose, Costa Rica

12 August 200812 August 2008

Richard E. ScottRichard E. Scott

IOM Regional Representative IOM Regional Representative

for North America and the Caribbeanfor North America and the Caribbean

Diversity of Caribbean MigrationDiversity of Caribbean Migration

The Caribbean is an extremely diverse region.The Caribbean is an extremely diverse region.

Globalization affects migratory movements in Globalization affects migratory movements in the Caribbean, as elsewhere in the world.the Caribbean, as elsewhere in the world.

Caribbean migration is influenced by many Caribbean migration is influenced by many factors including geography, economy, social factors including geography, economy, social and cultural diversity of the region, and and cultural diversity of the region, and historical ties.historical ties.

Diversity of Caribbean Migration (Continued)Diversity of Caribbean Migration (Continued)

Family ties, proximity and English language make U.S., Canada Family ties, proximity and English language make U.S., Canada and United Kingdom preferred destinations for many Caribbean and United Kingdom preferred destinations for many Caribbean migrants. migrants.

Jamaica and Haiti have some of the highest rates of emigration of Jamaica and Haiti have some of the highest rates of emigration of highly skilled in the world, with two-thirds of their college highly skilled in the world, with two-thirds of their college graduates living abroad.graduates living abroad.

Regional and extra-regional migrants either have the Caribbean Regional and extra-regional migrants either have the Caribbean as a final destination or intend only to stop over en route to North as a final destination or intend only to stop over en route to North America and Europe. America and Europe.

Caribbean IntegrationCaribbean Integration

In 1989, the CARICOM heads of government announced the In 1989, the CARICOM heads of government announced the transformation of the community into a Caribbean Single Market transformation of the community into a Caribbean Single Market Economy.Economy.

The CSME responds to the challenges of a globalized economy by allowing, through free movement of goods, services, capital and skilled persons, for the emergence of a more efficient and dynamic regional market.

Migration is one of the key elements of Caribbean economic Migration is one of the key elements of Caribbean economic integration.integration.

Caribbean governments have acknowledged the need for Caribbean governments have acknowledged the need for migration fora and discussions on regional and bilateral levels.migration fora and discussions on regional and bilateral levels.

Caribbean Regional SeminarCaribbean Regional Seminar

Since 2001, IOM and UNHCR, working with Since 2001, IOM and UNHCR, working with the Caribbean governments, have facilitated the Caribbean governments, have facilitated migration discussions by organizing an annual migration discussions by organizing an annual Caribbean Regional Seminar on Mixed Caribbean Regional Seminar on Mixed Migratory Flows.Migratory Flows.

IOM and UNHCR, with support of PRM, have IOM and UNHCR, with support of PRM, have partnered to provide technical assistance to the partnered to provide technical assistance to the Caribbean governments through these seminars.Caribbean governments through these seminars.

Caribbean Regional Seminar (continued)Caribbean Regional Seminar (continued)

40-60 participants every year representing up to 40-60 participants every year representing up to 20 Caribbean countries and territories. 20 Caribbean countries and territories.

The Seminars are also attended by a number of The Seminars are also attended by a number of observers from international organizations, civil observers from international organizations, civil society, CARICOM, University of West Indies society, CARICOM, University of West Indies and many more.and many more.

Caribbean Regional Seminar (Continued)Caribbean Regional Seminar (Continued)

Technical reports from international, national and Technical reports from international, national and regional experts regional experts

Government representatives, experts, and Government representatives, experts, and observers participate in plenary and break-out observers participate in plenary and break-out discussionsdiscussions

Networking and ideas for new projectsNetworking and ideas for new projects No formal resolutionsNo formal resolutions Interviews, presentations and reports available at: Interviews, presentations and reports available at:

http://www.iom.int/unitedstates/Events/PastEvents.http://www.iom.int/unitedstates/Events/PastEvents.htmhtm

Seminar Discussion TopicsSeminar Discussion Topics

Strengthening migration managementStrengthening migration management Contingency planning for, and management of, mass Contingency planning for, and management of, mass

migration focusing on protecting vulnerable migrants, migration focusing on protecting vulnerable migrants, including victims of trafficking, unaccompanied minors including victims of trafficking, unaccompanied minors and asylum seekers, amongst others.and asylum seekers, amongst others.

Migration and developmentMigration and development Migration and public health issues, especially HIV and Migration and public health issues, especially HIV and

mobility and migrants’ access to national health mobility and migrants’ access to national health services services

Migration and data collection and sharingMigration and data collection and sharing

Mixed Migratory Flows in the CaribbeanMixed Migratory Flows in the Caribbean

Diverse and multidimensional migration trends in the Diverse and multidimensional migration trends in the Caribbean bring along diverse issues of concern and Caribbean bring along diverse issues of concern and mixed benefitsmixed benefits

Countries in the Caribbean are sending, transit and Countries in the Caribbean are sending, transit and destination countriesdestination countries

Immigration disincentives and restrictive policies impact Immigration disincentives and restrictive policies impact migration movementsmigration movements

Vibrant economic activities such as resource extraction, Vibrant economic activities such as resource extraction, agriculture and tourism fuel regular and irregular agriculture and tourism fuel regular and irregular migrationmigration

Mixed Migratory Flows in the Caribbean Mixed Migratory Flows in the Caribbean (continued)(continued)

Due to the importance of tourism to Caribbean Due to the importance of tourism to Caribbean economies, countries are constantly challenged to balance economies, countries are constantly challenged to balance border security with expedited travel.border security with expedited travel.

Dynamics of labor migration have changed with increased Dynamics of labor migration have changed with increased ability to travel and more social networks to support them ability to travel and more social networks to support them in the processin the process

Some Caribbean countries are experiencing circular Some Caribbean countries are experiencing circular migration and an increased number of returnees, which migration and an increased number of returnees, which creates a demand for additional resources and policy creates a demand for additional resources and policy decisions to assist with re-integration.decisions to assist with re-integration.

Collaborative IOM and UNHCR ActivitiesCollaborative IOM and UNHCR Activitiesin the Context of Mixed Migratory Flowsin the Context of Mixed Migratory Flows

Strengthening regular migration management Strengthening regular migration management systems and structures to meet emergency and systems and structures to meet emergency and routine migration challenges.routine migration challenges.

Supporting governments to review current Supporting governments to review current contingency plans, institutional expertise and contingency plans, institutional expertise and experiences to prepare for mass and other experiences to prepare for mass and other migratory flows.migratory flows.

Building government capacity to address Building government capacity to address specific needs of vulnerable migrantsspecific needs of vulnerable migrants

Strengthening migration Strengthening migration management systemsmanagement systems

IOM legislative reviews of immigration laws IOM legislative reviews of immigration laws and regulations include UNHCR on issues and regulations include UNHCR on issues of refugee protectionof refugee protection

Counter-trafficking capacity building Counter-trafficking capacity building trainings conducted by IOM may include trainings conducted by IOM may include UNHCR on eligibility of victims for refugee UNHCR on eligibility of victims for refugee protectionprotection

Support to Caribbean Governments Support to Caribbean Governments (Mass Migration)(Mass Migration)

Facilitating expansion of existing national Facilitating expansion of existing national natural disaster plans to include mass migration natural disaster plans to include mass migration and regional and interagency cooperationand regional and interagency cooperation

Reception and registration in response to the Reception and registration in response to the mass flows of migrantsmass flows of migrants

Durable and temporary solutions in response to Durable and temporary solutions in response to mass migration including voluntary return, mass migration including voluntary return, refugee status determination, temporary refugee status determination, temporary protection, and integrationprotection, and integration

Support to Caribbean Governments Support to Caribbean Governments (Individual Migrants)(Individual Migrants)

Extra-regional migrants requesting transportation assistance and Extra-regional migrants requesting transportation assistance and family reunification approached IOM. Some had refugee family reunification approached IOM. Some had refugee protection concerns and were referred to UNHCR.protection concerns and were referred to UNHCR.

Extra-regional stranded migrants, residing in detention centers Extra-regional stranded migrants, residing in detention centers and unsuccessful asylum seekers referred to IOM by UNHCR to and unsuccessful asylum seekers referred to IOM by UNHCR to explore options of assisted voluntary return. explore options of assisted voluntary return.

UNHCR identified victims of trafficking residing in shelters and UNHCR identified victims of trafficking residing in shelters and referred them to IOM for return and reintegration assistance.referred them to IOM for return and reintegration assistance.

Some trafficking victims with potential refugee protection Some trafficking victims with potential refugee protection concerns were referred to UNHCR. concerns were referred to UNHCR.

IOM and UNHCR will continue (to the extent IOM and UNHCR will continue (to the extent of available resources) to support of available resources) to support Governments in the Caribbean in building Governments in the Caribbean in building their capacity to respond to the demands their capacity to respond to the demands posed by mixed migration flows to, from, posed by mixed migration flows to, from, and within the region.and within the region.