African immigration to Latin America

After the end of both wars, most migration across the Atlantic to Latin America was from West Africa, often due to political and socioeconomic instability, and a trend toward the tightening of border security in the European Union in the 1990s and first decade of the 21st century.

The process of settlement and citizenship acquisition, however, has been eased for these immigrants due to the presence of pre-existing Black diaspora populations in such countries as Brazil, which has minimized local trends towards xenophobia or colorism.

[4] During the latter half of the 2010s and the early 2020s, a transit migration phenomenon from Africa to Latin America has been documented, with the intent of reaching the United States or Canada, prompted by violent and precarious conditions in their countries of origin.

[5][6][7] The passage through Central America is relatively swift; however, upon crossing Mexico's southern border via the city of Tapachula, they become entrapped in a protracted administrative process that can extend for months.

The majority of migrants abandon this process and proceed undocumented towards Mexico's northern border;[8][9] some even cross into the United States illegally, anticipating apprehension and the opportunity to apply for asylum while in detention.