MIGRATION FLOWS REPORT IN , AND THE

N°6 (JANUARY - MARCH, 2018)

IOM REGIONAL OFFICE IN SAN JOSE -

The data is the responsibility of the sources. MIGRATION FLOWS REPORT IN CENTRAL AMERICA, NORTH AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN N°6 (JANUARY - MARCH, 2018)

MESOAMERICAN MIGRANTS MIGRANTS WHO WERE RETURNED TO THE NORTHERN TRIANGLE OF CENTRAL AMERICA (NTCA) In the first quarter of 2018, 2017 reported the highest growth in the number 9,392 2018 nationals returned, with an increase of 5,829 48% over 2017, while reported Guatemala an increase of 29%. However, El Salvador 15,760 experienced a decrease of 38%, registering 23,318 3,563 fewer returnees. Forced and voluntary Honduras returns were mainly from (54.2%) 12,571 and the (45.7%). 16,224 Source: Human Mobility Information Management Initiative in the Northern Triangle, IOM

CENTRAL AMERICAN MIGRANTS DETAINED1 BY MEXICAN IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES BY NATIONALITY.

jan - mar 2017 jan - mar 2018 During the first quarter of 2018, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Honduras registered 13,971 13,178 an increase in the number of their nationals presented before Mexican immigration authorities compared to the first quarter of 7,891 7,665 2017. Particularly in the case of Guatemalans and Hondurans, there was a significant 4,217 increase of 67% and 82.3% respectively. In 3,042 contrast, , El Salvador and , 14 experienced a decrease for this quarter 4 12 220 214 0 compared with the first quarter of 2017.

Belize Costa Rica El Salvador Honduras Guatemala Nicaragua Source: Mexican Secretariat of the Interior CENTRAL AMERICAN MIGRANTS DETAINED1 BY MEXICAN IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES BY NATIONALITY. The cumulative total of Central American migrants showed an increase of 52% in the 30,423 jan - mar 2018 period January to March of 2018, compared to the same period of 2017. 20,010 jan - mar 2017

Source: Mexican Secretariat of the Interior

1. Events of migrants detained by Mexican immigration authorities. The data is the responsibility of the sources. BOYS AND GIRLS FROM THE NTCA DETAINED BY MEXICAN IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES. Of those boys and girls from NTCA presented before Mexican immigration authorities, boys and girls from Honduras registered the largest increase of 106.2%. In the case of Guatemala, there is an increase of 96%. Presentations of boys and girls from El Salvador, in contrast, decreased by 38.6%.

jan - mar 2017 jan - mar 2018

3,739

2,906

1,908 1,409 1,068 656

Honduras Guatemala El Salvador

Source: Mexican Secretariat of the Interior

UNACCOMPANIED BOYS AND GIRLS FROM THE NTCA AND MEXICO INADMISSIBLE2 AT THE SOUTHWEST BORDER OF THE UNITED STATES.

The number of unaccompanied boys and 6,994 girls from countries of the NTCA and Mexico that have been declared inadmissible 5,420 at the border for the fiscal year 2018 already represent 77.5% of those registered for 2017.

FY 2017 FY 2018 Source: US Customs and Border Protection (oct 17 - apr 18)

2. Individuals who are inadmissible are not permitted by law to enter or remain in the United States. 3. The fiscal year in the United States begins on October 1st and ends on September 30th.

The data is the responsibility of the sources. MIGRATION FLOWS REPORT IN CENTRAL AMERICA, NORTH AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN N°6 (JANUARY - MARCH, 2018)

APPREHENSIONS OF UNACCOMPANIED MIGRANT BOYS AND GIRLS FROM THE NTCA AND MEXICO AT THE SOUTHWEST BORDER OF THE UNITED STATES Apprehensions of unaccompanied migrant boys and girls from the NTCA countries and Mexico for the first seven months of the fiscal year 2018 have reached 62.3% of the total registered in 2017. In the same period, there was a significant reduction in the number of apprehensions of boys and girls, accounting for just 22.9% of the total figure for 2017.

FY 2017 FY 2018 (oct 17 - apr 18) 14,827

12,459

9,143 8,877 7,784 6,151 4,624

2,090

El Salvador Guatemala Honduras Mexico

Source: US Customs and Border Protection

IN THE PRESS:

“MIGRANT CARAVAN ARRIVES AT THE MEXICO - UNITED STATES BORDER”

By mid-March, according to BBC , a caravan of migrants formed by about 2000 people started in Honduras. This caravan, named “Refugee Caravan 2018” crossed the border between Guatemala and Mexico on March 26th, and by the end of April, between 300 and 400 people who participated in this journey arrived in Tijuana, at the border of Mexico with the United States.

Source: BBC World: http://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-43614027 El País: https://elpais.com/internacional/2018/04/29/mexico/1525033999_476242.html

The data is the responsibility of the sources. FAMILY UNITS4 INADMISSIBLE AT THE SOUTHWEST BORDER OF THE UNITED STATES. The number of family units coming from FY 2017 FY 2018 (oct 17 - apr 18) countries of the NTCA and Mexico declared inadmissible in the United States, during the first seven months of the fiscal El Salvador 4,195 year 2018, has already exceeded the total 2,423 amount for the fiscal year 2017 for all Guatemala nationalities, except for El Salvador. The 6,058 most visible growth is in the case of Mexico, 7,935 that has already outgrown the total of the Honduras fiscal year 2017 by 27.4%. 3,817 4,857 Mexico 8,416 Source: US Customs and Border Protection 10,723

FAMILY UNIT APPREHENSIONS AT THE SOUTHWEST BORDER OF THE UNITED STATES

For fiscal year 2018, the case of Guatemalan families stands out: four months before the end of this fiscal year, the number has already outgrown the total of fiscal year 2017. Family units registered from Honduras and Mexico have decreased compared to fiscal year 2017, so far, the decrease for this year accounts for 34% and 8% respectively. present numbers that represent 75.2% and 57.5% respectively. The most notable change are registers of El Salvador where a decrease of 70% for this periods is observed.

FY 2017 FY 2018 (oct 17 - may 18) 29,278

24,657 24,122 22,366 20,675

7,167

2,217 1,461

Mexico Honduras Guatemala El Salvador

Source: US Customs and Border Protection

4. Family Unit represents a family group consisting of at least one adult and a child or adolescent traveling together (either a child under 18, a parent or legal guardian).

The data is the responsibility of the sources. MIGRATION FLOWS REPORT IN CENTRAL AMERICA, NORTH AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN N°6 (JANUARY - MARCH, 2018)

OUTCOMES OF DEPORTATION PROCEEDINGS FOR NATIONALS FROM COUNTRIES OF THE NTCA AND MEXICO IN IMMIGRATION COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES5 During the first half of fiscal year 2018, Mexican nationals registered the highest amount of deportation proceedings completed. However, nationals from El Salvador registered the least amount. In the first half of fiscal year 2018, cases completed (by nationality) represent between 55-62% of the total of the total number of cases from 2017, indicating similar rates to 2017.

FY 2017 FY 2018 (oct 17 - feb 18) 39,772

24,654 21,357 18,338 15,237 12,897 8,400 10,279

El Salvador Guatemala Honduras Mexico

Source: Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse

ASYLUM SEEKERS FROM CENTRAL AMERICA ADMITTED IN THE UNITED STATES

Refugee admissions in the United States El Salvador Guatemala Honduras for nationals from countries of the NTCA 1,124 show a decrease in the first three months of 2018 compared to the first quarter of 2017, except for the case of Guatemala. Salvadorans reflect the greatest decrease in refugee admissions, although up to April 2018, Salvadorans had the highest percentage of refugee admissions compared to the fiscal year 2017, at 28.6%.

322 234 134 104 50 Source: Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration 9 27 10 4 10 128 jan - mar jan - mar FY 2017 FY 2018 2017 2018 (oct 17 - apr 18)

5. Counts are based upon each case an Immigration Court completes and the date of the judge’s decision or administrative closure. The data shows the figures for the issuance of orders for removal or .

The data is the responsibility of the sources. VENEZUELAN MIGRANTS IN IRREGULAR STATUS IN PANAMA. During the first quarter of 2018, Panamanian 75 authorities detained more than double the number of Venezuelans detained during the first quarter of last year. Representing an 35 increase of 120.6%

Source: National Migration Service of Panama. jan - mar 2017 jan - mar 2018

DEPORTATIONS AND VOLUNTARY RETURNS6 OF VENEZUELANS IN PANAMA.

1,816 During the first quarter of 2018, Venezuelan migrants were at the top of the list of 1,297 nationalities with the highest number of 1,082 deportations and voluntary returns from Panama, reaching 59.6% out of the total for this year. Venezuelan cases in the first quarter of 2018, have already reached 83.4% of the total number of cases in 2017. Venezuelans Venezuelans All nationalities 2017 2018 2018 Source: National Migration Service of Panama.

REGULARIZATION OF VENEZUELANS IN PANAMA.

Legalizations include ordinary and Venezuelans extraordinary stay permits issued. This Total 2017 year, Venezuelans have most benefited 15,408 from these permits, with 46.7% of the total of legalizations issued during the first Venezuelans quarter of this year; which represents jan - mar 2018 40.4% of the total legalizations granted to 6,230 this population in 2017.

All nationalities 2018

Source: National Migration Service of Panama. 13,343

6. Regulation of Law N.3 that creates the National Migration Service of Panama defines voluntary return as “It is the authorization granted to the irregular migrant to leave the country, after payment of the corresponding administrative sanctions and the costs of moving to the country of destiny” The data is the responsibility of the sources. MIGRATION FLOWS REPORT IN CENTRAL AMERICA, NORTH AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN N°6 (JANUARY - MARCH, 2018)

VENEZUELANS ASYLUM REQUESTS IN COSTA RICA.

3,064

918

334 333 251

january 2018 february 2018 march 2018 total 2017 total 2018

During the first quarter of 2018, the largest number of asylum requests in Costa Rica was filed by Venezuelans. So far, the trend for 2018, does not indicate greater variations with respect to 2017.

Source: General Directorate of Migration of Costa Rica.

PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY RESIDENT CARDS ISSUED BY MEXICO TO VENEZUELANS. The number of permanent resident cards issued to Venezuelan nationals in first quarter of 2018 Mexico increased 55.7% from the first quarter of 2017 to the same period of 2018. Of temporary resident cards issued, a small increase of 3.4% was observed.

jan - mar 2017 jan - mar 2018

1,501 1,452

1,134

729

Temporary residents Permanent residents

Source: Mexican Secretariat of the Interior

The data is the responsibility of the sources. OUTCOMES OF DEPORTATION PROCEEDINGS IN IMMIGRATION COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES

235 From October 2017 to March 2018, only 149 half of the fiscal year, the number of the 115 cases completed equal 68.4% of the total cases completed in 2017.

FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 (oct 17 - feb 18) Source: Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse

VENEZUELANS IN THE DOMINICAN According to the second National Survey of Residence permits7 issued to Venezuelan Immigrants (ENI in Spanish) in the Dominican migrants in the show a Republic, for the period from 2012 to 2017 steady increase from 2015 to 2017, registering the Venezuelan migrant stock grew by 653%, an increase of 388.5% during this period. a sevenfold increase.

25,872 1,529

749

313 3,434

2012 2017 2015 2016 2017 Source: General Directorate of Migration of the Domincan Republic

VENEZUELAN ASYLUM REQUESTS IN .

693 From 2015 to 2016, asylum requests by Venezuelans in Trinidad and Tobago grew by 875%. The most noticeable increase was in 2017, with a growth of 17 times over 2016.

Source: Immigration Division Trinidad & Tobago 4 39 2015 2016 2017

7. The number of residence permits issued for Venezuelans in Dominican Republic for 2017 does not include August. The data is the responsibility of the sources. MIGRATION FLOWS REPORT IN CENTRAL AMERICA, NORTH AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN N°6 (JANUARY - MARCH, 2018)

VENEZUELANS THAT HAVE EXCEEDED THEIR LEGAL STAY IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO WITHOUT LEAVING THE COUNTRY In the period of 2016 to 2017, the number 3,003 of Venezuelans that exceeded the length of stay allowed in Trinidad and Tobago grew by 150.9%. Until March 6th 2018, the 1,997 total of these cases registered, outgrew the total of 2016, and represented 45.4% of the total for 2017. 1,364

Source: Immigration Division Trinidad & Tobago 2016 2017 jan - mar 2018 VENEZUELAN REGULAR ARRIVALS TO DURING THE PERIOD OF 2015 – 2017 BY AIR AND BY SEA When observing the regular flows of Venezuelan migrants to Anguilla for the last three years, it reached its highest level in 2016, when the number was twice as high as in 2015, and four times higher than in 2017. It is worth noting that these flows occurred mainly by sea during the three years observed. Of the total arrivals to Anguilla during this period, 68% were by sea and only 32% by air.

1,086 To t a l Air Sea

716

382 370 285 240 162 97 78 2015 2016 2017

Source: Immigration Department Anguilla

EN :

“VENEZUELANS SEEK TO MIGRATE TO THE NEIGHBORING ISLANDS OF THE CARIBBEAN THROUGH RISKY JOURNEYS”

On January 10th, the trip from to Curaçao by raft cost the lives of 6 migrants and around 20 more migrants disappeared.

Source: BBC World http://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-42911478

The data is the responsibility of the sources. EXTRA-REGIONAL MIGRANTS: ASIANS AND AFRICANS EXTRA-REGIONAL DETAINED IN THE BORDER OF PANAMA WITH (DARIEN). Extra-regional migrant detentions increased notably during the first quarter of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. Regarding migrants from , the increase was of 4550%. Other nationalities also show an increase, except for Eritrea with a decrease of 20%.

2017 2018 465

216 185 191 137 108 109

10 Bangladesh Eritrea India Nepal Source: National Migration Service of Panama.

ENTRY AND TEMPORARY STAY PERMITS ISSUED BY THE GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF MIGRATION OF COSTA RICA. As of April 2018, Costa Rica issued the highest number of entry and transit permits for persons with claims of coming from Africa, particularly from Congo Brazzaville and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

10,652

4,575

1,775 1,020

Bangladesh India Democratic Republic of Congo Congo Brazzaville

Fuente: Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería Costa Rica

The data is the responsibility of the sources. MIGRATION FLOWS REPORT IN CENTRAL AMERICA, NORTH AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN N°6 (JANUARY - MARCH, 2018)

EXTRA-REGIONAL MIGRANTS PRESENTED BEFORE MEXICAN IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES Comparing the first quarter of 2018, with that of 2017, there was noted growth of migrant flows from India. Likewise, presentations increased for nationals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, (162.5%) and Cameroon (23.3%).But noteworthy is the decrease in the number of presentations of Eritrean nationals, which decreased by 47.4%, similar to the cases of Bangladesh (42.2%) and Nepal (24%).

jan - mar 2017 jan - mar 2018 622 491

254 206 175 193 119 90 111 92 84 32

Democratic Cameroon Eritrea Republic of Congo Bangladesh India Nepal

Source: Mexican Secretariat of the Interior REFUGEE ADMISSIONS FOR PERSONS FROM AFRICA IN THE UNITED STATES.

The number of refugees from Africa admitted in the United States during the 4,121 jan - mar 2017 first quarter of 2018 reduced by more than half compared to the same period for 2017.

2,047 jan - mar 2018 Source: Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration

OUTCOMES OF DEPORTATION PROCEEDINGS FOR INDIAN NATIONALS IN IMMIGRATION COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES.

FY 2016 From October 2017 to February 28th, 2018, the total deportation procedures 575 of Indian nationals reached 92.3% of 2016 levels and 62.8% of 2017 levels. Considering FY 2017 that during the fiscal year 2018, about 106 cases are completed per month, most 846 probably the total amount of deportations FY 2018 (oct 17 - feb 18) proceedings completed during this fiscal year will significantly increase. 531 Source: Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse

The data is the responsibility of the sources. AND HAITIANS RESIDENCE PERMITS APPROVED IN PANAMA FOR CUBANS AND HAITIANS In Panama, a modest increase can be observed in the number of residence permits Cubans Haitians 49 issued for nationals from and . 42 When comparing residence permits issued during the first quarters of 2017 and 2018, there is a growth of 16.7% for Cubans.

4 2 Source: National Migration Service of Panama jan - mar 2017 jan - mar 2018

CUBANS AND HAITIANS PRESENTED BEFORE MEXICAN IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES.

jan - mar 2017 jan - mar 2018 Presentations of nationals from Cuba and 737 Haiti before Mexican immigration authorities 585 have decreased drastically compared to the first quarter of 2017. Cuban presentations from January to March 2018 reduced by 88.9%. Even more substantial was the 65 18 decrease in the presentations of Haitians, which fell by 97.5% Cubans Haitians Source: Mexican Secretariat of the Interior

EVENTS OF BOYS AND GIRLS PRESENTED BEFORE MEXICAN IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES BY NATIONALITY Instances of accompanied and unaccompanied boys and girls of and Cuban origin during the first quarter of 2018 have been minimal. In 2017 a total of 13 presentations were counted for accompanied and unaccompanied Cuban boys and girls, while this year no cases have been registered. The decrease in the presentations of Haitian boys and girls is also notable, particularly of accompanied boys and girls, which decreased by 82.9%.

35 jan - mar 2017 jan - mar 2018

10 6 3 0 0 0 0 Accompanied Haitian Accompanied Cuban Unaccompanied Haitian Unaccompanied Cuban boys and girls boys and girls boys and girls boys and girls

Source: Mexican Secretariat of the Interior. The data is the responsibility of the sources. MIGRATION FLOWS REPORT IN CENTRAL AMERICA, NORTH AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN N°6 (JANUARY - MARCH, 2018)

CUBANS INADMISSIBLE AT THE SOUTHWEST BORDER OF THE UNITED STATES. The total number of Cubans inadmissible in the southwest border of the United States from January to March decreased by 13.6% from 2017. This could be related to the suspension of the “wet foot, dry foot” policy as of January, 2017.

2017 2018 1,656 1,571 1,430

670

415 345

65 20 january february march To t a l

Source: US Customs and Border Protection. HAITIAN INADMISSIBLE AT THE SOUTHWEST BORDER OF THE UNITED STATES. Official figures reveal a drop in the number of Haitians inadmissible at the southwest border of the United States. A decrease of 96.7% is observed in the first quarter of 2018 compared with the first quarter of 2017.

The elimination of the “Temporary Protection Status” TPS for nationals from Haiti, could account for the drop of Haitians trying to enter into the United States.

2017 2018 1,956 1,638

218 24 20 100 20 64 january february march To t a l

Source: US Customs and Border Protection.

The data is the responsibility of the sources. OUTCOMES OF DEPORTATION PROCEEDINGS FOR CUBAN AND HAITIAN NATIONALS IN IMMIGRATION COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES. The deportation proceedings completed in the United States Immigration Courts for nationals of Haiti and Cuba show an important increase between fiscal years 2016 and 2017. In the case of Cubans, the increase was 36.1%. In the case of Haitians, the increase is even more evident, at 457% with 2258 more cases completed in fiscal year 2017 over 2016.

Furthermore, in the first five months of fiscal year 2018, the deportation proceedings completed for both Haitians and Cubans represented, 59% of the total for each during fiscal year 2017. This could indicate an increasing trend in the number of deportation proceedings completed for these nationalities.

Cubans Haitians 2,752

1,628

1,172 861 695 494

january february march Source: Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse

STOCK OF HAITIAN MIGRANTS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.

The number of people born in Haiti and based 2012 2017 in the Dominican Republic increased by 8.6% from 2012 to 2017. According to the National Survey of Immigrants in the Dominican Republic, people born in Haiti represent 87.2% of the country’s migrant population. Source: ENI 2017

458,233 497,825

The data is the responsibility of the sources. MIGRATION FLOWS REPORT IN CENTRAL AMERICA, NORTH AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN N°6 (JANUARY - MARCH, 2018)

CREDITS:

DOCUMENT PREPARED BY THE IOM REGIONAL OFFICE FOR CENTRAL AMERICA, NORTH AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN.

Direction: Marcelo Pisani, Regional Director. Edition: Salvador Gutiérrez, Regional Liaison and Policy Officer Alicia Sangro, Regional Liaison and Policy Officer a.i. Elaboration and conceptualization: Mariana Chaves, Research Assistant Sofía Arce, Information and Statistics Media and Communication: 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 (Head of Mission) and Mayvelline González from IOM Costa Rica; Paz (Head of Mission) and Rocío Dutary de IOM Panama. IOM is especially grateful to the Mexican Commission for Refugee Aid, the Ministry of the Interior (Migration Policy Unit) of Mexico, General Directorate of Migration of Guatemala, to the National Institute of Migration - Honduras, the General Directorate of Migration and Immigration of Costa Rica, to the National Migration Service of Panama and the of Panama.

www.rosanjose.iom.int @IOM_Caribbean /IOMCaribbean1