Haitianos entre el refugio y la migración irregular: movilidad humana en el Ecuador y sus efectos en la sociedad

Resumen

Human mobilization has become a global phenomenon that is getting stronger every day. Displacement, human shelters and migration are increasingly recurring subjects in the international arena. Following the 2010 earthquake that devastated Haiti, many people moved to Brazil, encouraged by humanitarian visas that this country offered in view of its precarious condition after the natural disaster. The Republic of Ecuador is characterized as a country with an inclusive foreign policy, its visa requirements for other countries to entry into its territory is minimal if not zero. For this reason, Haitian citizens took advantage of this open door on their migration path to Brazil. Several issues prevented Haitians to reach their destination, which is why now they are in Ecuador in a process to define their immigration status. Differentiation of terms and concepts is fundamental to understand migration processes. The State and its institutions are fundamental for the recognition of the status of foreigners, in order to grant rights and ensure compliance. Ecuador is a really different case of human mobilization. This study analyzes the case of Haitian population in Ecuador with the aim to define the concept of human mobility and its variants of refuge and migration. In addition, it contrasts two theories of mobilization among the securitization of national borders and the new concept of universal citizenship as guidelines for foreign policy of a State. The aim of this paper is to define the situation of Haitians in Ecuador and if their situation involves a refugee status or a case of normal migration. Furthermore, it seeks to analyze the role of the Ecuadorian State in fulfilling its obligations to migrants and refugees in its territory according to its Constitution and the principle of universal citizenship.