Diagnostic on Belizean Migration Trends and Migration Management Regulation IOM International Organization for Migration IOM International Organization for Migration OIM Organización Internacional para las Migraciones OIM Organización Internacional para las Migraciones Diagnostic on Belizean migration trends and migration management regulation The opinions expressed in the report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout the report do not imply expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IOM concerning legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning its frontiers or boundaries. IOM is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. As an intergovernmental organization, IOM acts with its partners in the international community to: assist in the meeting of operational challenges of migration; advance understanding of migration issues; encourage social and economic development through migration; and uphold the human dignity and well-being of migrants. Prepared by: Melanie Camille Smith Edited by coordinating team: IOM Guatemala (José Diego Cárdenas Mirón), IOM Regional Office San Jose, Costa Rica (Salvador Gutiérrez) and IOM Belmopan (Rene Chuc) Collaborator: Joop Hendrikx Published by: International Organization for Migration IOM Belmopan 3rd Floor, UNDP Office Complex City of Belmopan, Belize All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher. Diagnostic on Belizean Migration Trends and Migration Management Regulation Belmopan, Belize October 2013 IOM International Organization for Migration OIM Organización Internacional para las Migraciones Diagnostic on Belizean 2 Migration Trends and Migration Management Regulation This document “Diagnostic on Belizean Migration Trends and Migration Management Regulation” is a part of the project “Improving technical capacity training in Belize: a coordinated response to migration”. The project aims to build and improve the capacity of national governmental authorities in regards to the management of current challenges posed by migration fl ows in Belize. This project is funded by the IOM Development Fund. Diagnostic on Belizean Migration Trends and Migration Management Regulation Diagramación: Evelyn Ralda Portada: Gudy Gonzalez Impreso en Editorial Serviprensa S.A. 3ª Ave. 14-62, zona 1 PBX: 2245-8888 Correo electrónico: [email protected] Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala Diagnostic on Belizean Migration Trends and 3 Migration Management Regulation Contents ACRONYMS .....................................................................................................................................................................................7 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................................................. 9 Summary of Key Findings ..............................................................................................................................................................11 COUNTRY PROFILE .......................................................................................................................................................................13 Key statistics ..................................................................................................................................................................................13 PART A: MIGRATORY MOVEMENTS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF MIGRANTS ...........................................................................17 A.1 WHAT IS DRIVING BELIZEAN MIGRATION? ..........................................................................................................................17 A.2 NET MIGRATION IN BELIZE ..................................................................................................................................................17 A.3 EMIGRATION ........................................................................................................................................................................ 18 A.3.1 Emigration: Pre-independence .................................................................................................................................. 18 A.3.2 Emigration: Post-independence ................................................................................................................................ 19 A.3.3 Emigration: Contemporary ........................................................................................................................................ 21 A.3.4 Emigrants: Characteristics ..........................................................................................................................................23 A.3.5 Emigrants: Ethnic Dimension .....................................................................................................................................23 CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN MANAGING EMIGRATION ............................................................................................. 25 A.4 IMMIGRATION ...................................................................................................................................................................... 25 A.4.1 Immigration: Pre-Independence ................................................................................................................................ 25 A.4.2 Immigration: Post-Independence .............................................................................................................................. 26 A.4.3 Immigration: Contemporary .......................................................................................................................................27 CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNTIES IN MANAGING IMMIGRATION ............................................................................................ 28 A.5 BELIZE AS A TRANSIT COUNTRY ......................................................................................................................................... 28 CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF TRANSMIGRATION .................................................................. 29 A.6 TRANS-BORDER MIGRATION .............................................................................................................................................. 29 A.6.1 Trans-border migration: Guatemala .......................................................................................................................... 29 A.6.2 Trans-border migration: Mexico .................................................................................................................................31 CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNTIES IN MANAGING TRANS-BORDER MIGRATION ..................................................................... 32 A.7 LABOUR MIGRATION ........................................................................................................................................................... 32 A.7.1 Labour Migration: Seasonal and Temporary Workers ................................................................................................. 32 A.7.2 Labour Migration: Economic Activity ......................................................................................................................... 34 A.7.3 Labour Migration: Emigrants ......................................................................................................................................35 CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN MANAGING LABOUR MIGRATION .................................................................................35 A.8 IRREGULAR MIGRATION ...................................................................................................................................................... 36 A.8.1 Irregular Migration: Emigration ................................................................................................................................. 36 A.8.2 Irregular Migration: Immigration ............................................................................................................................... 38 A.8.3 Irregular Migration: Routes into Belize....................................................................................................................... 38 A.8.4 Irregular Migration: Routes from Belize to the USA ................................................................................................... 39 A.8.5 Irregular Migration: Apprehensions of Undocumented Belizeans in the USA ............................................................. 41 A.8.6 Irregular Migration: Apprehensions of Undocumented Immigrants in Belize .............................................................. 41 CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN MANAGING IRREGULAR MIGRATION ........................................................................... 42 A.9 RETURN MIGRATION ........................................................................................................................................................... 43 A.9.1 Diaspora Return Migration to Belize