The magnitude of the migration phenomenon in Latin America and the
Caribbean is clearly depicted in numbers: 89 million migrants, of whom
17
million are illegal. The in last three years, the number of countries
generating migrants has risen, along with the number of countries at
the
same time are countries of origen, a place of transit and a destination
for migrants. The United States remains the principal destination for
migrants, given that 65% of migrants in this country come from Latin
America and the Caribbean.

Furthermore, the increasing strictness of migration laws in our region,
echoes the xenophobic policies of the North American goverment since
9-11
(2001), reinforcing the historical tendency of the governments in the
region - even the most progressive governments - to criminalize and
penalize migrants.

These statistics reveal a reality that societies are unwilling to face,
much less openly discuss. As a result of neoliberal politics (which
promised us heaven on earth), there has been an explosive migratory
flux
throughout the continent. The structural adjustment programs that have
destroyed traditional agriculture and at the same time privatized state
companies and institutions and restructured the productive system in
our
countries, have also eliminated millions of jobs, leaving people in a
situation of exclusion, vulnerability and violence much greater than
ever
experienced before.

But migration is not only a result of the economic decisions made by
our
governments, given that there are other dimensions such as forced
displacement in situations of war and the trafficking of women and
children. This latter phenomenon is favoured by certain new
technologies
that hinder the control and elimination of this problem.

In countries such as Costa Rica, Argentina and Brazil, the exacerbation
of
xenophobia is perfectly mirrored in the ratification of anti-migrant
legislation. In Costa Rica, in October 2005, the government brought
into
law legislation that establishes the need to ¨select¨ the type of
migrants
that enter the country and penalizes any person who hosts or helps an
illegal migrant with 2 to 6 years in prison.