Prevention of Crimes Linked to Migration

Program for the Prevention of crimes related to Irregular Migration in Mesoamerica

Data

Status

Concluded

Start - End

2014 - 2028

Implementation

Social Networks

@OEA_SegPublica

The Organization of American States (OAS), in collaboration with its strategic partners—the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)—implemented the Program for the Prevention of Crimes related to Irregular Migration in Mesoamerica.

In terms of prevention, the program enabled the training of community agents and included the design and implementation of informational, cultural, and educational campaigns at the municipal level. It featured activities such as informational talks, film forums, theater performances, distribution of informational materials, and mural art, among others, as well as training and sensitization for journalists.

For the identification and prosecution of crimes related to irregular migration, the program included the development of eight national diagnostics on the legislative framework in the participating countries regarding irregular migration, a comparative diagnosis of the legislative framework on migrant smuggling in the eight Mesoamerican countries, and training for officials in identifying false documents and border control, as well as in the identification and prosecution of crimes related to irregular migration.

Additionally, the program included the development of effective techniques for collecting statistics related to migrant smuggling and the establishment of a network for information exchange and alerts to combat migrant smuggling.

Lastly, regarding the protection of people in the context of human mobility, the program achieved the signing of agreements and commitments by national authorities to strengthen protection services, the organization of inter-institutional forums and bicultural tables, and the exchange of experiences between countries, among other initiatives.

Objectives

Promote and support strategies for irregular migration prevention, especially in high-emigration areas.
Create and strengthen human and institutional capacities to combat migrant smuggling, trafficking in persons, and crimes related to irregular migration.
Promote the formulation and implementation of policies to protect the human rights of migrants, particularly vulnerable groups such as women, children, indigenous people, individuals with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community.

Activities

Mobilizing and empowering communities to prevent migration-related crimes in ten high-emigration municipalities across five countries: El Salvador (Santa Ana and San Miguel); Guatemala (Ayutla and Malacatán); Honduras (Goascorán and Nacaome); Mexico (Ixtepec and Matías Romero); and Nicaragua (Chinandega and Somotillo).
Training authorities to improve border management in the eight participating countries.
Development of the platform "Information System on Crimes Affecting Migrants in Irregular Situations (SIDMI)," which strengthens institutional capacities in prevention and prosecution by providing data, alerts, and information on crimes related to irregular migration.
Holding interinstitutional forums for the protection and social and labor reintegration of returned migrants.
Additionally, the project enhanced coordination and collaboration among implementing partners, central and local governments, civil society organizations, and migration-related media, creating synergies and optimizing scheduled activities.

More Results

Results

20 round tables held to build support for the selected communities, with the identification and involvement of approximately 300 community leaders.

My Community in Motion Campaign launched in the 10 beneficiary municipalities, with the direct and active participation of approximately 7,500 citizen

48 journalists from media outlets with national audiences trained in the public treatment of crimes related to irregular migration.

+1,200 national officials trained in border migration control, human rights protection, and victim identification

230 judges, prosecutors, and police officers trained using the Manual for the Investigation of Human Trafficking and Illicit Migrant Smuggling.

+200 justice operators and public officials trained in the identification and prosecution of crimes related to irregular migration.

11 to promote better interinstitutional coordination and strengthen the response to the assistance and protection for irregular migrants .

18 inter-institutional agreements signed in the beneficiary countries aimed at strengthening migrant protection programs during 8 roundtables.

Beneficiary Countries