Canada – The effects of the pandemic on forced migration in Central America, Mexico and the USA
COVID-19 has put us in a dilemma. We are faced with choices as individuals and as a society to move forward from our current predicament:
• we are
either overcome by “fear of the other” or we grow in “solidarity with others”;
• we either assume an “every person for themselves” attitude, or we unite
without leaving anyone behind;
• we either see God as the cause of all our suffering or as our comforter and
support in facing it with hope.
The path we choose will determine the future of humanity. In Latin America, the pandemic has accelerated and aggravated the systemic crisis of migration in the region by exacerbating the structural causes of forced displacement: inequality and violence. It has made migrant populations more vulnerable by creating a greater need to migrate, with more difficulty and risk: there are now fewer sources of income and support during their journey. It has also led to increased militarization and migration restrictions.
As a result, migrants suffer greater emotional and physical challenges during their exodus and require greater humanitarian assistance. Many of them are now stranded and destitute; disappear without a trace; are being unfoundedly stigmatized as carriers of COVID-19; and are more likely to be deported. Ironically, the pandemic has highlighted the crucial role migrants play in host countries as many of them are doing essential and high-risk jobs. However, they are not always adequately compensated or recognized or given health protection. They are often considered indispensable, but disposable.
Faced with this crisis, the Jesuit Migration Network, has increased services and adapted delivery: most shelters continue to serve migrants in person; other centres give psychological, legal and spiritual support and information virtually; they are increasing hospitality campaigns in host communities; they have developed new ways to monitor the status of migrants, to prevent, document and denounce human rights violations which have increased due to excessive immigration control and increased aggression from organized crime; they are also trying to influence governments in the region to end rapid and indiscriminate deportations. Read more…
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