Due to the increase of the Venezuelan population in various countries of the region, discourses and practices have been observed that are at odds with the human dignity of this population, from the existence of discriminatory domestic laws, rhetoric, policies, and state practices to discrimination, xenophobia, violence, exclusion, and stigmatization by the population at large. Despite some community and state efforts, many obstacles stand in the way of the migrant and refugee population acceding to fundamental rights and state services, which only compounds their vulnerability and impedes their effective integration to the host communities, reinforcing the segregation between them and the nationals.

This translates into difficulties in accessing justice and the right to an identity and in accessing basic services; significant shortcomings in due process guarantees in immigration matters, recognition of refugee status, immigration regulation, and integration into the communities; and major risks of exploitation.  READ MORE