In the Americas, organizations led by refugees, displaced persons, and the diaspora are often among the first to respond to overlapping crises—humanitarian, political, economic, and social—that affect their communities. In addition to providing services that formal systems fail to cover, such as legal advice and representation, shelter, and emotional support, they drive advocacy efforts to achieve institutional and systemic change. More often than not, they do so with limited resources and without access to sustainable funding.
This short article invites readers to acknowledge the contributions of these organizations, understand their struggles, and reflect on what needs to change to ensure rights, dignity, and justice in countries of destination and transit. To this end, we share the challenges and proposals for systemic change from Yo Te Apoyo (Ecuador), Apoyo a Migrantes Venezolanos AC (Mexico), Venezuela Global (Brazil), and Fundación VenCR (Costa Rica)—organizations that have assisted hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan and other migrant and refugee populations.
Image: Overlapping crises affecting migrant and refugee communities in the Americas. Credit: Betzabeth Jaramillo, Yo Te Apoyo.
Meaningful participation: its strengths, challenges, and ways to achieve it
The meaningful participation of migrants, refugees, and stateless persons in political and decision-making processes is essential for effective integration, the exercise of citizenship, and transformation not only in migration issues but in all areas of public life. Meaningful participation goes beyond occupying a symbolic place at a discussion table or being part of a delegation; it is about truly influencing decisions that affect their lives. This implies representativeness, access to institutional mechanisms, and the willingness of decision-makers to listen. It is a shared responsibility: for the State, to open spaces; for communities, to prepare themselves to influence with solid, evidence-based arguments and proposals. Experiences such as the (COMIGRAR - National Conference of Migrants, Refugees, and Stateless Persons) demonstrate the value of well-structured participatory processes. With more than 14,000 participants and 60 prioritized proposals, this effort reflected the capacity of migrant and refugee communities to organize, debate, and propose inclusive policies. Active participation strengthens citizenship, promotes rights, and enables structural barriers to be overcome. To be effective, it must be institutionalized, ensure continuity, and translate into concrete actions.
“I would suggest to policymakers and decision-makers (...) that the time to do things differently and do things better must begin immediately (...). Well-managed integration processes can translate into incentives for the economic development of receiving countries (...). But that happens because we start to think about migration from a development perspective and, from there, we adopt public policies that are implemented to support these communities, mainly the most vulnerable, and include these people in socio-economic development processes (...).”
- William A. Clavijo Vitto, founder and president of Venezuela Global (Brasil).
The contributions of migrants to economic development
Migrants and refugees make key contributions to the economic development of host countries. In Costa Rica, for example, they represent around 12% of GDP, according to OECD data. Despite facing multiple obstacles—such as the recognition of professional qualifications or access to formal employment—many migrants actively integrate into the labor market, contribute to the tax system, and boost the local economy through consumption, job creation, and entrepreneurship. Far from being a burden, migrants are drivers of development and resilience, especially in contexts where state systems are overburdened and international cooperation is declining. In the current regional context, where migration governance is becoming increasingly restrictive, partnerships with non-traditional actors—such as universities—are key to generating evidence and promoting integration and development. In Costa Rica, Alianza VenCer has promoted the active participation of students through training programs and internships in local governments and social organizations, bearing in mind that they are the future decision-makers. By promoting student participation through training and internships in local governments and social organizations, these partnerships strengthen institutional capacities and contribute to more just, inclusive, and sustainable governance.
“We can promote public policies, we can support and contribute from our perspectives to our country or a host community (...) so that they do not see us as ‘the others’ but as part of a whole, of communities, and that in the end we are all part of the same system and therefore we all want to move forward. So (my recommendation is that) they take us into account as a fundamental part of the response.”
- Roberto Blanco, project manager at Alianza VenCR (Costa Rica).
Xenophobia, discrimination, and ‘crimigration’: strategies to counteract them
The rise of xenophobia, racism, and the criminalization of migration in the Americas has had devastating consequences for social integration and has exposed migrants, refugees, and displaced persons to discrimination and hate crimes. This stigmatization, fueled by media narratives that associate migration with criminality, reinforces stereotypes that portray refugees and migrants as threats, ignoring their right to seek protection and better living conditions. For example, in the United States, the “crimmigration"—In other words, the convergence between immigration and criminal laws, together with the symbolic association of undocumented persons with crime, has led to an increase in arbitrary detentions, both of persons with criminal records and those without, including some who entered legally and have asylum proceedings underway. To counteract these trends, it is necessary to ensure meaningful participation by displaced persons in efforts to transform immigration and social policies, recognizing the humanity, capacities, and contributions of those who migrate, and opening up real spaces for their leadership and proposals. In addition, raising awareness among public officials and the media is key to dismantling stereotypes and combating xenophobia and structural racism.
“(My recommendation is) real meaningful participation, that is, that all this interesting work being done by organizations led by refugees and displaced persons is truly taken into account; it is information and support that different governments can draw on..”
- Lizbeth Guerrero, co-founder and co-director, Apoyo a Migrantes Venezolanos AC (México)
What are the consequences of these crises on the mental health of migrants and refugees?
Regressive migration policies, the discontinuation of humanitarian aid programs, the closure of consulates, and the lack of regularization channels have created a silent but devastating crisis in the mental health of migrants. Institutional neglect, constant uncertainty about their immigration status, and legal persecution fuel symptoms such as anxiety, hopelessness, insomnia, and depression. According to the study "Impact of the Lack of Documentation and Migratory Regularization on the Venezuelan Migrant Population" conducted in Ecuador with more than 2,500 migrants, 92% fear losing their immigration status, and more than 70% experience sleep disorders and frequent negative thoughts. This prolonged trauma, known as ‘sustained institutional vulnerability,’ is causing cumulative emotional damage that affects daily life and the possibility of integration and can escalate to risky decision-making. To address this crisis, social and community support networks must be strengthened to mitigate social isolation, including ensuring adequate funding for community organizations, implementing psychological support programs immediately, and eliminating the root causes of emotional distress by reopening consular services and implementing flexible regularization policies.
“I believe that international organizations must address this issue and seek funding both for themselves and for local grassroots organizations that directly deal with these complex situations, which are neglected when public policies are lacking (...). We can better address these situations, prevent further damage, and foster real integration within the population.”
- Betzabeth Jaramillo, founder and director of Yo Te Apoyo (Ecuador).
Author
Mara Tissera Luna, based on contributions from Betzabeth Jaramillo, founder and director of Yo Te Apoyo (Ecuador), July Rodríguez, Founder and co-director and Lizbeth Guerrero, co-founder and co-director, Apoyo a Migrantes Venezolanos AC (México), William A. Clavijo Vitto, founder and president of Venezuela Global (Brasil) and Roberto Blanco, project director at Alianza VenCR (Costa Rica), during the webinar “Refugee-led organisations facing multiple crises: what needs to change".
Watch full webinar recording here.