LIBRARY

 

In our Library, you can find publications containing our research, workguides and other materials generated by the Western Hemisphere Program and IOM. You will also find information materials about our tools and campaigns and reports on our work.

 

 

 

Mechanisms for Accessing Legal Identity for Migrants in Belize

Access to legal identity is an essential aspect of safe, orderly and regular migration. Elements that certify legal identity include registration of birth and other vital events, national identity documents, travel documents, among others. These documents are, in turn, indispensable for different processes of regularization and civil registration for migrants in destination countries. However, there are millions of people in the world who do not have legal identity documents recognized by any competent government agency.

This study examines the mechanisms of access to legal identity for migrants in Belize. Through a mixed methodology that included a desk review, interviews with key stakeholders and a participatory workshop with government representatives from Central America, Mexico and the Dominican Republic, three types of systems through which people access legal identity documents are analyzed: the system of civil registration and identity management for Belizeans, the legal identity management system in relation to regularization processes and access to civil registration for foreign nationals in Belize, and the system of assistance available to Belizeans abroad through the country's consular representations.

The report identifies both needs and good practices in Belize and provides a list of actionable recommendations aimed at strengthening local legislation, public policies, regional agreements and procedures to ensure access to legal identity for all persons

Mechanisms for Accessing Legal Identity for Migrants in Central America, Mexico and the Dominican Republic

Access to legal identity is an essential aspect of safe, orderly and regular migration. Elements that certify legal identity include registration of birth and other vital events, national identity documents, travel documents, among others. These documents are, in turn, indispensable for different processes of regularization and civil registration for migrants in destination countries. However, there are millions of people in the world who do not have legal identity documents recognized by any competent government agency.

This regional study examines the mechanisms of access to legal identity for migrants in Central America, Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Through a mixed methodology that included desk review, interviews with key stakeholders and a participatory workshop with government representatives from the region, three types of systems through which people access legal identity documents are analyzed: the civil registry and identity management system in countries of origin of migrants, the legal identity management system in relation to regularization processes and access to civil registry for migrants, and the system of assistance available to migrants through consular representations of their countries of origin in destination countries.
 
The report identifies both needs and good practices in the region providing a list of actionable recommendations aimed at strengthening local legislation, public policies, regional agreements and procedures that guarantee access to legal identity for all persons.

WHP in Action - March 2023

A quick overview of the Western Hemisphere Program (WHP) progress and key activities from January to March 2023. 

Regional Guidelines for the Preliminary Identification of Profiles Referral and Mechanisms for Migrant Populations in Vulnerable Situations

These Guidelines are an instrument to facilitate the Member States of the Regional Conference on Migration (RCM) to carry out processes for the preliminary identification of profiles, attention and protection, as well as to take preventive actions in preparation for potential new migratory flows, as well as the referral of migrants and refugees in conditions of vulnerability within migratory processes.

Information and Communication Technologies and Migrant Smuggling in Central America, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic

This research provides an overview of the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the facilitation of migrant smuggling operations in Central America, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. At the same time, it provides concrete recommendations to address challenges and to include the use of ICTs in the prosecution and execution of actions to combat this crime.

Invisible Movements in the Caribbean: persons with SOGIESC and LGBTQI+ community

Invisible Movements: Recommendations for Facilitating the Movement of Persons with diverse Sexual Orientations, Gender Identities, Gender Expressions and Sex Characteristics in the Caribbean

In 2020, there were approximately 281 million international migrants in the world, representing 3.7 per cent of the global population. Moreover, migrants who belong to historically marginalized groups are often at risk of discrimination, stigmatization, violence, or difficulty accessing assistance when mobilizing across country borders, especially when they have an irregular immigration status. Persons of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) community in the Americas and the Caribbean are an example of such a group that can face obstacles to their regular and humane migration conditions. Therefore, IOM conducted this study to examine the situation of cross-border movement within the region among members of the LGBTQI+ community. This study focuses on the policies and legislation affecting the cross-border mobility and migration of persons with diverse sexual orientations, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) in the Caribbean. Using a human rights approach based on principles enshrined in regional and international instruments, it analyses specific case studies in different countries to provide examples of good practices, limitations, and opportunities for improvement.

Invisible Movements in the Caribbean: Indigenous Peoples

Invisible Movements: Recommendation for Facilitating the Cross-Border Migration of Indigenous Peoples in the Caribbean

In 2020, there were approximately 281 million international migrants in the world, representing 3.7 per cent of the global population. Moreover, migrants who belong to historically marginalized groups are often at risk of discrimination, stigmatization, violence, or difficulty accessing assistance when mobilizing across country borders, especially when they have an irregular immigration status. Indigenous populations in the Americas and the Caribbean are an example of such a group that faces obstacles to their regular and humane migration conditions. Therefore, IOM conducted this study to examine the situation of cross-border movement within the region among indigenous peoples. This study focuses on the policies and legislation affecting the cross-border mobility and migration of indigenous peoples in the Caribbean. Using a human rights approach based on principles enshrined in regional and international instruments, it analyses specific case studies in different countries to provide examples of good practices, limitations, and opportunities for improvement.

Event Report: First Regional Forum on Communication and Migration

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in coordination with the Pro-Tempore Presidency (PPT) of the Regional Conference on Migration (RCM) and the Working Group on Irregular and Mass Migration held the First Regional Forum on Communication and Migration in order to highlight the strategic role of communication in the management of migration and compliance with the GCM.

Costa Rica - Panama: Flow monitoring of people in mobility situations through the Americas #6 (May 2022)

The flow of migrant population moving through the Americas continues to be high compared to previous years and, in the same way, May represents the month with the highest number of departures registered in the MRS Los Planes, Chiriqui, equivalent to 42 percent of the records for the year. Between January and April 2022, 18,164 people registered their departure from the MRS Los Planes and the consequent entry into Costa Rica, while for May 2022 the registration is 13,248 people. Due to accessibility and language issues, there is an over representation of the surveyed population of Venezuelan nationality, therefore, the characteristics of the people surveyed were not extrapolated to all the people counted in the departure records.

Costa Rica - Panama: Flow monitoring of people in mobility situations through the Americas #5 (April, 2022)

Between December 2021 and April 2022, an increase of 71 percent of the population originating from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is identified. On the other hand, there is a route from Venezuela to Colombia, mainly to Medellin, and from there, directly to Panama. Download the report to discover other trends.