1. Constructing Borders: A Comparative Analysis of Immigration Policies in Latin America
This research project examines immigration policies in Latin America through a comparative perspective. While the region is often overlooked in global debates on migration, Latin American countries have developed diverse and evolving approaches to immigration shaped by history, politics, economic conditions, and regional migration flows. The project analyzes immigration laws, policy frameworks, and public discourse across selected countries to understand how governments regulate entry, residence, rights, integration, and enforcement. It pays particular attention to recent transformations linked to major migration movements, including the displacement of Venezuelan migrants throughout the region. Using qualitative and comparative methods, the project seeks to identify patterns of convergence and divergence among countries and to develop a typology of immigration regimes in Latin America. It also compares these findings with immigration models in North America and Europe. The broader goal is to contribute to academic knowledge on migration governance while generating insights relevant to policymakers, civil society organizations, and communities working on immigrant inclusion, rights protection, and regional cooperation.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: My specialized research area is comparative politics, focusing on immigration and migration governance in Latin America and beyond. I study how governments design immigration policies, how migrants are included or excluded, and how these policies vary across countries.
Student roles:
The student will assist with data collection, policy research, and comparative analysis for a project on immigration policies in Latin America. Tasks include searching government websites and official sources, gathering legislation and policy documents, organizing research materials, summarizing findings, and helping build comparative country profiles. The student may also assist with literature reviews, coding documents, and preparing tables or research notes. Depending on how advanced the project is, the student may help with planning and conducting interviews with relevant government officials.
Skills required:
Strong research, writing, organizational, and information-search skills are required, including the ability to locate and use government websites, official reports, and policy databases. Experience with qualitative analysis, policy research, or comparative politics is an asset. The student should be able to read and interpret legislation, policy documents, and institutional materials. They should be detail-oriented, able to work independently, and interested in immigration, public policy, and Latin America. Experience conducting interviews would be useful. Reading knowledge of Spanish and/or Portuguese would be an asset.