The deterioration of the already difficult economic situation and politics in Latin America, especially in countries like Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua, triggered in 2022 one of the worst regional migration crises in recent decades, spilling over into countries where large numbers of refugees did not usually arrive.
The voice of america has made a summary of the main events related to migration that have marked the year in the region.
Venezuelan exodus exceeds 7 million
By the end of 2022, the number of displaced Venezuelans exceeded 7.1 million, reported the Interagency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela (R4V).
The International Organization for Migration characterizes the Venezuelan exodus as “one of the biggest displacement and migration crises in the world,” already surpassing that of Syria.
Unpublished records of refugees in the region
In its December 12 update, R4V registered more than 5.9 million Venezuelans displaced to other Latin American countries.
Representatives from Mexico, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Chile and Panama appealed to the United Nations international aid in the face of the excessive increase in irregular immigration and the number of refugees, especially Venezuelans and Nicaraguans, who have overwhelmed systems and infrastructures in countries without conditions to receive thousands of refugees.
Historical record in arrivals of Cubans to the US
According to data From the Department of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a record 224,607 Cubans attempted to enter US territory in fiscal year 2022, a number that far exceeds the combined records of the Mariel Boatlift, in 1980, and the Crisis of the Rafters, in 1994, the worst migratory crises in the history of the Caribbean island up to now.
Record crossings in the Darién
Forecasts from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) indicate that at least 200,000 irregular travelers will have crossed the border crossing of the Darien Gapbetween Colombia and Panama, at the end of 2022.
According to the IOM, the crossings through that site had already surpassed the record of 133,726 registered in 2021 in September, when the number of migrants who passed through the feared jungle was equaled in the entire previous decade.
Historical numbers on the US southern border
political crises and economic in the regioncoupled with the effects of COVID-19, have influenced the record numbers of migrants arriving in the US.
The last two years report the most notable increase. US border patrols recorded contact with more than 2.7 million migrants in 2022 and 1.6 million in 2021, a dramatic spike compared to previous reports of 405,036 (2020), 859,501 (2019) and 404,142 (2018).
Visa program for Venezuelans
The US government put into effect a program of humanitarian permits for Venezuelans who will allow the entry of 24,000 applicantswho will be able to live and work legally for two years in US territory.
This new resource was implemented in order to reduce the record number of people who arrive every day at the southern border of the country and, according to Washington, will help guide migration through legal channels.
Record number of naturalizations in the US since 2008
Nearly one million immigrants obtained US citizenship in 2022, the highest number of people naturalized in the last 15 years, according to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. The top five countries of birth for new citizens were Mexico, India, the Philippines, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic.
The Department of State confirmed to the voice of america which issued in fiscal year 2022, which ended last September, a total of 493,000 immigrant visas.
Repeal of Title 42
The administration of US President Joe Biden intends to revoke Title 42, a measure that allows the expulsion of people who cross irregularly into the US. Officially it was supposed to expire on December 21, but the Supreme Court issued an order, deferring your revocation The decision on the permanence of the regulations could still take until February.
The end of the provision, imposed during the administration of former president Donald Trump, offers hope for thousands of migrants who are waiting for that day and also a challenge for the government of Joe Biden.
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