Understanding the Central American Refugee Crisis: Why They are Fleeing and How U.S. Policies are Failing to Deter Them
Yesterday, the American Immigration Council released Understanding the Central American Refugee Crisis: Why They are Fleeing and How U.S. Policies are Failing to Deter Them by Jonathan T. Hiskey, Ph.D., Abby Córdova, Ph.D., Diana Orcés, Ph.D. and Mary Fran Malone, Ph.D.
The report explains why the Obama Administration’s aggressive deterrence strategy towards potential migrants—including a media campaign launched in Central America highlighting the risks involved with migration, as well as aggressive detention and deportation practices designed to “send a message” to Central Americans—is not working. In fact, these factors did not seem to play a role in the decision calculus of those considering migration.
The paper provides strong evidence that an individual’s direct experience with crime is a critical predictor of one’s emigration intentions. Crime is pushing people out, regardless of the risks associated with their journey.
In addition, a Migration Policy Institute report finds that Central American migration to the United States may continue.
KJ