Migration and Law
We explore the role of law in migration phenomena
Contemporary human mobility poses complex challenges that require an interdisciplinary approach where legal analysis and social science tools play a fundamental role. The Migration and Law research line at CIDS examines how normative frameworks affect migration processes, the integration of migrants, and the exercise of their rights in Chile.
Our work analyzes the tensions between migration policy design and its practical implementation, studying the impact of legal regulation in areas such as the labor market, the health system, and social control institutions. We explore how different dimensions linked to the legal status of migrants condition their integration trajectories and how knowledge of their rights affects their opportunities and experiences in the destination country.
From an empirical approach, we investigate recent normative transformations in migration matters and their effects on different dimensions of social life. We place special emphasis on analyzing the contact of migrants with the criminal system in Chile, examining issues such as the State's punitive responses, access to justice, and regularization processes, considering both institutional responses and the experiences of migrant communities.
Currently, this line comprises three parallel projects: (i) a study on criminal defense of migrants in Chile; (ii) an analysis of this group's perceptions of legality in the country; and (iii) research with international universities examining border control practices, funded by the British Academy.
Related Projects: