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Public Policy on Return, Reintegration and Integration Regional Workshop on Policies, Practices and Conclusions for the Return, Reintegration and Integration of Migrants San José, Costa Rica, September 17-18, 2013. Key Definitions.
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Public Policy on Return, Reintegration and Integration Regional Workshop on Policies, Practices and Conclusions for the Return, Reintegration and Integration of Migrants San José, Costa Rica, September 17-18, 2013
Key Definitions 1. Integration: A process whereby individual migrants and groups of migrants are accepted in a society. Integration is a shared responsibility of migrants, the receiving government, institutions and communities. 2. Return: The return of an international migrant to the country of origin with the intention of re-establishing residence in the country of origin. 3. Reintegration:Re-inclusion or reincorporation of a person into a group or a process– for example, a migrant into the society in the country of origin. Includes family, social, economic and cultural reintegration.
Initial Reflections • Returning is a right: Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). Article 13. “Every person has the right to (…) return to his country”. • Returned migrants can contribute to development in the country of origin or, as a minimum, help to meet labour needs. • Various motives for returning: having accumulated savings, retiring from productive life, non-adaptation, failed labour integration, reasons relating to family, deportation. • Is return without reintegration useful for migrants and society?
A Few Starting Points Migration and return are inseparable – as a reality or as a potential alternative. Return is a desirable objective for societies of origin when they identify loss of qualified labour. Return is not a new phenomenon; return migration has occurred for decades and has increased in recent years.
Measuring Return Return is not a new phenomenon, it has been experienced for decades and has increased in recent years. It is difficult to measure: • Dispersed data sources; • Difficulty to compare data; • Limitations in identifying the volume of irregular migration, including return.
Return Today Out-migration flows from Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) to traditional destinations (North America and Europe) tend to decrease. Today, 500,000 migrants return to Central America each year. Few countries exist in LAC where a comprehensive return and reintegration is in place for their nationals. Voluntary assisted return programmes from countries of destination exist (for example, Canada and European countries).
Characteristics of the Return (I) In most cases, migrants returning to Central America and Mexico are forced to return. In some cases, migrants that are forced to return had been well established in the country of destination. The majority of returning migrants are men. Return leads to situations of marginalization similar to those that led to initial migration.
Characteristics of the Return (II) Few countries exist in LAC where a comprehensive return and reintegration is in place for their nationals. Voluntary assisted return programmes in countries of destination are not necessarily complemented by processes to promote medium- to long-term reintegration in receiving countries. Limited mechanisms for monitoring reintegration.
Key Aspects in Return and Reintegration Policies (I) • Disseminating information about available services; • Providing information on employment opportunities; • Facilitating transportation; • Granting financial support and subsidies.
Key Aspects in Return and Reintegration Policies (II) • Guidance upon arrival – accommodation, food; • Registering returned persons; • Employment services; • Guidance for productive investment and credit granting; • Facilitating access to housing, scholarships, and health care.
Programmes to Support Returned Migrants As receiving countries: Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua As sending countries: Canada, Dominican Republic
Factors that Influence the Sustainability of Return and Reintegration • Length of stay and experience abroad; • Reason for returning (voluntary or forced); • Financial resources, family networks; • Location of return (rural or urban); • Education, skills, experience; • Psychosocial support and expectations.
Real Reintegration (and Integration) • Access to the labour market; • Access to education; • Self-employment, microcredit, training; • Certification of competencies, recognition of diplomas/degrees; • Pension portability; • Access to public services; • Psychosocial support.
Final Reflections (I) Differentiating between facilitation or initial assistance and effective long-term reintegration. The success depends on political will as well as human and financial resources. Strong inter-institutional coordination is required.
Final Reflections (II) • The link between the assistance provided before departure in the country of destination and the assistance provided during reintegration in the country of origin should be promoted. • Effective reintegration involves addressing the underlying causes of migration through assistance for reintegration within the context of the country of origin and balanced support between returned migrants and receiving communities. • Effective reintegration involves providing services for migrants in vulnerable situations (unaccompanied boys, girls and adolescents, victims of trafficking, migrants with medical conditions, etc.).
