ROME - The Thursday forum hosted by Mediatrends, centred around a discussion titled “The challenge of regional emigration in America.”

 Roberto Montoya, Director of Mediatrends, introduced the discussion by highlighting that a large percentage of Latin-Americans move away to the United States and Central America, due to lack of opportunities and economic potential back in their home country.

 Dr Cristina Eguizábal Mendoza, the Ambassador of the Republic of Costa Rica in Italy, explained that Costa Rica has become a country of both transition and reception for migrants, particularly from Nicaragua, due to its stable democracy and offering prospects.

 Mendoza highlighted that although many think of migration as a relatively new phenomenon, in reality “it is not a new phenomenon.”

 It is important to recognize that although migration has long existed, its reasons and the different countries involved have not always been consistent. The current wave of migration experienced throughout Latin America is largely owed to the ripple effect of globalization, from which Costa Rica, for example, has benefited.

 Although migration has enabled many to find jobs and opportunities, it is also, as Mendoza described, “infected by organized crime.” Crime organizations take advantage of the fragile nature of the situation, and human trafficking of migrants is an increasingly prevalent consequence.

 Mendoza clarified that although some migrate permanently to Costa Rica, there are also many who just go temporarily, to earn and save money, and then return to their home countries with the means to buy a house and live more comfortably.

 The countries with the highest number of applicants seeking refuge are Venezuela, 47%, El Salvador, 28%, and Columbia, 13%.

 Mendoza then proceeded to dispel some of the popular myths surrounding the migration situation, in an attempt to separate the truths from the myths. One statement was “the percentage of unemployed migrants is less than than of local Costa Ricans’. She explained that this is technically correct, but stressed that it is a proportional figure, given that the overall number of migrants in Costa Rica is significantly less than the number of local Costa Ricans.

 Dr Giselle Canahuati, the General Consul of the Republic of Honduras in Rome, spoke next about the migration situation in Honduras. She explained that it differs greatly to that of Costa Rica as Costa Rica is a country that receives migrants, whereas Honduras is a country where people migrate from.  

 She said that Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador have a particularly high percentage of immigrants in the United States, largely due to the widespread violence and high homicide rates in the Northern Triangle, in addition to the United States offering the possibility of more economic opportunities.

 Canahuati argued however that the crime in Honduras has reduced in recent years, and despite it having the reputation of being very dangerous, the popular tourist areas are “very safe.”

 Sometimes the mother and daughter are separated in the migration process, a fact Canahuati described as “inhumane”, and that would surely never happen in Italy.

 She also commented on Trump and his position in the crisis, as only this month he decided to end the temporary protection status in Honduras, meaning that approximately 428,000 people now must either leave Honduras or find a way to become legal residents by the start of 2020. This effectively means that Hondurans who have been legally in the United States with temporary protection status will become illegal immigrants in January 2020.

 Canahuati also shared that sometimes mother and children are separated when they enter the United States immigration system.

 Mediatrends America - Europe is an independent observatory which analyses the varying points of view regarding international events and news, with the intention of deepening collaboration and synergy between Europe and America. More information regarding their recent activity can be found here: http://www.mediatrendsamerica.com/

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