International Migration Policies in Latin America 1

This paper examines international migration policies in Latin America in the context of the two major flows currently taking place: labor migrations of unskilled workers between bordering countries which are characterized by unequal levels of development; and the migration of highly skilled persons, both to (European skilled immigrants) and from (brain drain to industrialized countries) the region. There are major gaps in policy formulations on the labor migrations of unskilled workers in spite of the size of the movements and the human and national interest involved. On the migration of skilled personnel, Latin American governments have tried some policies but, unfortunately, these have not been successful.