Labor Migration and Development in Central America
Experts discussed challenges faced by countries of origin and destination in ensuring mutual benefits through labor migration and migration and development strategies in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.
Most migrants from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border have no accessible, lawful option to migrate. Some are fleeing danger, some are seeking economic opportunity, and for many, the two are inextricably linked. Labor migration offers a legal alternative, with potential to benefit not just destination countries, but the sending countries, as well.
Migration can bring increased remittances and skills transfers, improve institutional coordination, provide opportunities for foreign investment, provide multilateral support for education and training infrastructure, and build capacity.
This event, hosted by the Center for Global Development (CGD) and MPI focused on the main challenges faced by countries of origin and destination in ensuring mutual benefits through labor migration and strategies moving forward. It addressed how to promote legal labor migration from Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras for mutual benefit, regional efforts for improved cooperation, and addressing inequities in the current recruitment system. The panelists discussed the current situation of labor migration programs in the three countries, and what the future of the programs may look like to ensure returns to development.
This event was also broadcast in Spanish.
Speakers:
Virginia Negro, Project Officer, Capacity Development for Migration Management (CD4MM), International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Ana Paola P. Lobos, Public Policy Coordinator, Proyecto Creando Oportunidades Económicas, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Guatemala
Margarita Beneke de Sanfeliú, Director, Center for Research and Statistics, FUSADES-El Salvador (Fundación Salvadoreña para el Desarrollo Económico y Social - Salvadoran Foundation for Economic and Social Development)
Michael Clemens, Director and Senior Fellow, Migration, Displacement, and Humanitarian Policy Program, Center for Global Development (CGD)
Moderators:
Ariel G. Ruiz Soto, Policy Analyst, MPI
About the Global Program
The Global Program bridges policy advice, research, and candid dialogue to design effective migration policies, drawing on global evidence and anticipating the forces reshaping how people move.
Latin America and Caribbean Initiative
The Initiative combines rigorous research with direct engagement of governments, institutions, and stakeholders to help build orderly, rights-respecting migration systems across one of the world's most dynamic migration regions.
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Virginia Negro
Ana Paola P. Lobos
Margarita Beneke de Sanfeliú
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