Bolivia's Migrant Crisis: Deportation And Its Impact

Bolivia has historically been a country of emigration, with over 700,000 Bolivians living abroad, representing around 7% of the total population. However, in the past, the Bolivian government has implemented policies to attract international migrants to settle in sparsely populated areas. While the country has seen a small influx of immigrants, it has not been significant, with the immigrant population standing at around 1% of the total population. In recent years, there has been an increase in Peruvian migrants, particularly in the city of El Alto. Bolivia's approach to migration has been a topic of discussion, with the country facing criticism for its handling of the humanitarian crisis on the Chile-Bolivia border and its response to the immigration crackdown in Argentina.

Bolivia's history as a country of emigration

Bolivia has been characterised as a country of emigration, with internal migration flows also presenting large historical movements. Neighbouring countries have been the main sources of migration to Bolivia, with Argentines, Brazilians, and Peruvians making up the most significant foreign groups in the country.

During the 20th century, small groups of Jews, Arabs, Mennonites, and Japanese settled in the country, with the total number of immigrants never exceeding 1% of the population between the 1976 and 2001 population censuses, or 100,000 people. In the same period, internal migration processes, such as the "March to the East", generated internal colonisation processes in the most depopulated areas of the country.

In recent times, Bolivia has seen a process of deruralization, with thousands of people migrating from the countryside to cities in search of better job opportunities. This phenomenon of internal migration coexists with that of emigration, with certain segments of the population, mainly urban and with specific socioeconomic characteristics, choosing to leave the country.

It is estimated that over 700,000 Bolivians currently live abroad, representing about 7% of the total population. Argentina has been the primary destination for Bolivian emigrants, followed by Spain and the United States.

While Bolivia has experienced emigration, there have also been periods when the Bolivian State promoted international immigration. These efforts aimed to colonise sparsely populated lands, particularly in eastern Bolivia. However, these attempts did not succeed in attracting a significant number of immigrants.

Neighbouring countries as the main source of migration

Neighbouring countries have been the main source of migration to Bolivia. Argentines, Brazilians, and Peruvians have been the most numerous foreign groups in the country, settling mainly in the departments of Santa Cruz, La Paz, and Cochabamba, which have experienced greater economic development.

In the 20th century, small groups of Jews, Arabs, Mennonites, and Japanese arrived in Bolivia, with the total number of immigrants never exceeding 100,000 people and standing at around 1% of the population between the 1976 and 2001 population censuses. During this period, European immigration was insignificant outside of Spaniards, who arrived during the colonial period. Small numbers of Italians, Poles, and Germans settled mainly in the vicinity of La Paz and Cochabamba, and some Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany arrived in the 1930s. After World War II, about 1,000 Japanese settled in colonies around Santa Cruz, and several hundred Okinawan families established themselves as rice growers in the same area.

In the 1970s, Brazilian settlers were drawn to northeastern Bolivia by improved transportation links, and their influence on the region was substantial as they continued to speak Portuguese and use Brazilian currency. Since the 1950s, migration to neighbouring countries has increased, with an estimated 675,000 Bolivians residing outside the country in the late 1980s. Bolivia has experienced internal migration as well, with people leaving rural areas for cities, where there are better job opportunities.

The impact of COVID-19 border closures

Bolivia declared a national health emergency and extended its border lockdown on 26 March 2020, as the government sought to contain the spread of COVID-19. The border closure was extended to 15 April, with no one allowed to enter or exit the country during that period. This was in addition to a 14-day national quarantine already in place, with only one person per household permitted to go outside between 7 am and noon on weekdays.

The closure of the Bolivia-Chile border during the pandemic caused a surge in irregular crossings, with migrants from Venezuela, Colombia, and other countries entering Chile through the harsh terrain of the Chilean altiplano. Local authorities struggled to accommodate the migrants, with many forced to shelter under plastic tarps in the border town of Colchane, which has intermittent electricity and no supermarkets or pharmacies.

The impact of the border closures was felt not only by those seeking to enter Bolivia but also by those trying to leave. In February 2021, the Chilean government deployed the military to patrol the border and coordinated planes to send migrants back to their home countries. The deportation of migrants was criticized by activists who accused the government of treating them as criminals and trampling on their right to claim asylum.

The COVID-19 border closures had far-reaching consequences, not only for Bolivia but also for the wider region. The measures taken by the Bolivian government successfully contained the spread of the virus, but they also disrupted the movement of people, leading to humanitarian crises in border areas and sparking debates about immigration policies and the treatment of migrants.

The role of migrant social networks

Migrant social networks are distinct from other social networks in terms of their composition, usage, and influence on the lives of millions of people who currently live and work away from home. While social networks are used every day by people all over the world to connect with friends, family, community members, and colleagues, migrant networks are unique in that they span two or more countries and are often conditioned by the migration experience.

Migrant networks are made up of interpersonal ties to kin, friends, and community members in both the origin and destination countries. These networks can also include ties to institutions and organizations that support migrants in their journey, job search, and social adjustment in the destination country. The composition of these networks can change over time, and they may be influenced by factors such as class and ethnicity.

Migrant social networks play a crucial role in various aspects of the migration process. They can determine a migrant's ability to move to a particular destination, find housing and employment, start a business, access healthcare, and participate in the development of their home country. These networks also influence the extent to which immigrants integrate into their host countries while maintaining connections to their home countries, a process known as transnationalism.

For example, during the 20th century, small groups of Jews, Arabs, Mennonites, and Japanese migrated to Bolivia. These migrants relied on their social networks to establish themselves in the country, and their networks continued to evolve as they settled in.

In the case of internal migration within Bolivia, historical flows have led to internal colonization processes in sparsely populated areas. This dynamic is similar to what occurs in international migration, where migrants from neighboring countries, such as Argentina, Brazil, and Peru, have established residence in economically developed areas of Bolivia.

Migrant social networks also have economic implications for both the origin and destination countries. Remittances sent by migrants to their home countries can impact local and national economies, and the cumulative brain drain can affect the origin country's development. Additionally, migrant networks can influence labor markets in the destination country, with migrants often occupying niches that locals are unwilling to fill.

In conclusion, migrant social networks are essential for migration, integration, and development. They provide connections, resources, and support that enable migrants to navigate the challenges of relocating and establishing themselves in a new country. These networks also facilitate economic exchanges and contribute to the social and cultural fabric of both the origin and destination societies.

Bolivia's international migration policy

Bolivia has been characterised as a country of emigration, with a large proportion of its population living abroad, mainly in Argentina, Spain, and the United States of America. However, the Bolivian State has, at times, promoted international immigration to achieve a process of colonisation of sparsely populated lands, particularly in eastern Bolivia. Despite these attempts, Bolivia has experienced far less immigration than its South American neighbours, with immigrant populations never exceeding 100,000 people, or 1% of the population, between 1976 and 2001.

Small groups of immigrants from various countries have settled in Bolivia, including Jews, Arabs, Mennonites, Japanese, Germans, Spaniards, Italians, and a small Yugoslavian community. Neighbouring countries, such as Argentina, Brazil, and Peru, have been the main source of migration to Bolivia, with immigrants settling primarily in the departments of Santa Cruz, La Paz, and Cochabamba, which offer better economic opportunities.

Bolivia has also experienced internal migration, with people moving from rural areas to cities in search of better job opportunities. This internal migration coexists with emigration, as some segments of the population, typically urban and with certain socioeconomic characteristics, choose to leave the country.

In terms of immigration policy, Bolivia, through the International Organization for Migration (IOM), aims to facilitate regulated labour migration processes and provide direct assistance to migrants. IOM supports policies that promote the social, economic, and cultural inclusion of migrants in their new environment and educates host communities about the potential contributions of newcomers. IOM also assists in the orderly and humane return and reintegration of migrants who wish to return voluntarily to Bolivia.

Regarding deportation, there is no specific information on Bolivia's policies. However, neighbouring countries, such as Chile, have been known to deport migrants, particularly in response to irregular crossings or illegal entry.

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