Mixed Migratory Flows and Durable Solutions in the Caribbean

1. Mixed Migratory Flows and Durable Solutions in the Caribbean San Jose, Costa Rica 12 August 2008 Richard E. Scott IOM Regional Representative for North America and the Caribbean

2. Diversity of Caribbean Migration • The Caribbean is an extremely diverse region. • Globalization affects migratory movements in the Caribbean, as elsewhere in the world. • Caribbean migration is influenced by many factors including geography, economy, social and cultural diversity of the region, and historical ties.

3. Diversity of Caribbean Migration (Continued) • Family ties, proximity and English language make U.S., Canada and United Kingdom preferred destinations for many Caribbean migrants. • Jamaica and Haiti have some of the highest rates of emigration of highly skilled in the world, with two-thirds of their college graduates living abroad. • Regional and extra-regional migrants either have the Caribbean as a final destination or intend only to stop over en route to North America and Europe.

4. Caribbean Integration • In 1989, the CARICOM heads of government announced the transformation of the community into a Caribbean Single Market 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 integration. • Caribbean governments have acknowledged the need for migration fora and discussions on regional and bilateral levels.

5. Caribbean Regional Seminar • Since 2001, IOM and UNHCR, working with the Caribbean governments, have facilitated migration discussions by organizing an annual Caribbean Regional Seminar on Mixed Migratory Flows. • IOM and UNHCR, with support of PRM, have partnered to provide technical assistance to the Caribbean governments through these seminars.

6. Caribbean Regional Seminar (continued) • 40-60 participants every year representing up to 20 Caribbean countries and territories. • The Seminars are also attended by a number of observers from international organizations, civil society, CARICOM, University of West Indies and many more.

7. Caribbean Regional Seminar (Continued) • Technical reports from international, national and regional experts • Government representatives, experts, and observers participate in plenary and break-out discussions • Networking and ideas for new projects • No formal resolutions • Interviews, presentations and reports available at: http://www.iom.int/unitedstates/Events/PastEvents.htm

8. Seminar Discussion Topics • Strengthening migration management • Contingency planning for, and management of, mass migration focusing on protecting vulnerable migrants, including victims of trafficking, unaccompanied minors and asylum seekers, amongst others. • Migration and development • Migration and public health issues, especially HIV and mobility and migrants’ access to national health services • Migration and data collection and sharing

9. Mixed Migratory Flows in the Caribbean • Diverse and multidimensional migration trends in the Caribbean bring along diverse issues of concern and mixed benefits • Countries in the Caribbean are sending, transit and destination countries • Immigration disincentives and restrictive policies impact migration movements • Vibrant economic activities such as resource extraction, agriculture and tourism fuel regular and irregular migration

10. Mixed Migratory Flows in the Caribbean (continued) • Due to the importance of tourism to Caribbean economies, countries are constantly challenged to balance border security with expedited travel. • Dynamics of labor migration have changed with increased ability to travel and more social networks to support them in the process • Some Caribbean countries are experiencing circular migration and an increased number of returnees, which creates a demand for additional resources and policy decisions to assist with re-integration.

11. Collaborative IOM and UNHCR Activitiesin the Context of Mixed Migratory Flows • Strengthening regular migration management systems and structures to meet emergency and routine migration challenges. • Supporting governments to review current contingency plans, institutional expertise and experiences to prepare for mass and other migratory flows. • Building government capacity to address specific needs of vulnerable migrants

12. Strengthening migration management systems • IOM legislative reviews of immigration laws and regulations include UNHCR on issues of refugee protection • Counter-trafficking capacity building trainings conducted by IOM may include UNHCR on eligibility of victims for refugee protection

13. Support to Caribbean Governments (Mass Migration) • Facilitating expansion of existing national natural disaster plans to include mass migration and regional and interagency cooperation • Reception and registration in response to the mass flows of migrants • Durable and temporary solutions in response to mass migration including voluntary return, refugee status determination, temporary protection, and integration

14. Support to Caribbean Governments (Individual Migrants) • Extra-regional migrants requesting transportation assistance and family reunification approached IOM. Some had refugee protection concerns and were referred to UNHCR. • Extra-regional stranded migrants, residing in detention centers and unsuccessful asylum seekers referred to IOM by UNHCR to explore options of assisted voluntary return. • UNHCR identified victims of trafficking residing in shelters and referred them to IOM for return and reintegration assistance. • Some trafficking victims with potential refugee protection concerns were referred to UNHCR.

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