Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on migration

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, international organizations have recorded a spike in human rights abuses suffered by migrants, especially in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

According to the International Organization for Migration, a United Nations-affiliated agency, poverty is a major cause in the spread of COVID-19 among migrant populations in relation to citizens.

Low-income migrant workers tend to live in crowded housing, perform strenuous work, and eat poorly, all of which put them at higher risk of contracting COVID-19.

They are at heightened risk of contracting diseases because of their poverty, overcrowded living conditions limited access to medical services, and exclusion from benefits given to citizens.

Notably high shares of respondents in East Africa (65%) and Latin America (55%) perceived a rise in arbitrary arrests and detention.

Central American migrants crossing Mexico, aiming for the United States, face mental health risks associated with violence and the uncertainty of their legal status, which hinders their ability to integrate into the host society.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. government cited public health concerns to justify denying entry and expediting the return of migrants to Mexico, even when they were not Mexican nationals.

This policy, criticized by public health experts, forced migrants to wait in Mexico, where job opportunities and support resources were limited due to the pandemic.

Shelter confinement was particularly hard for those who had previously experienced detention or kidnapping, worsening existing mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Shelters received fewer donations, and physical distancing limited visits from mental health professionals, reducing individual and group therapy sessions.

The absence of daily casual contact with shelter staff, which had been a source of emotional support, further impacted migrants' mental health.

[2] The imposition of closures and bans have left a substantial number of migrants stranded, meaning desiring but unable to return home.

Large numbers of maritime personnel, including fishermen and employees on cruise ships and cargo vessels, have been stranded at sea for months.