Latin America is home to approximately 18.4 million refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced people, accounting for about 20% of the global total. However, the dominant narratives about migration focus on Latin America as a region from which people migrate to the United States rather than a place where forcibly displaced individuals seek safety. This overlooks the experiences of internally displaced people within Latin America and results in a lack of awareness and understanding about the reasons for displacement and the challenges faced by refugees in the region.

While Latin American refugees may share language and cultural similarities with other countries in the region, integration is not necessarily easy, and there are barriers to overcome. Each country in Latin America has its unique accents, customs, histories, and socio-economic challenges. Additionally, refugees often face hostility and are seen as outsiders by host communities, leading to tensions over limited resources and opportunities.

The global and regional narratives that overlook refugees in Latin America have detrimental effects. They perpetuate a lack of understanding among host communities, hinder the allocation of resources for refugee protection and integration, and make it harder for refugees to settle and rebuild their lives. Integration challenges are particularly acute for young refugees, who face obstacles in accessing education and navigating complex procedures for legal status. The lack of support from humanitarian organizations exacerbates these difficulties.

It is crucial to center refugee voices in policy discussions and decision-making processes to address these issues. Refugees should be seen as active participants and contributors to finding sustainable solutions to their challenges. In Latin America, where refugees have been marginalized in migration narratives, amplifying their voices and ensuring their inclusion in conversations about issues and policies that directly affect them is essential. By valuing and incorporating refugee perspectives, progress can be made in improving the global refugee protection system and supporting the lives of forcibly displaced individuals.

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