Legal and Social Vulnerability of Venezuelan Migrants in Colombia and the United States

Abstract

The origin of this research is based on the worst migration crisis experienced in the Western Hemisphere.

Given the unquestionable deterioration of the democratic institutions in Venezuela and the massive exodus of Venezuelans to other countries, this project analyzes their legal and social vulnerability in Colombia and the United States, and the legal and social responses offered by the host governments.

The investigation exposes why these measures have not been consistent with the needs of this population, respect for their human rights and the adoption of legal and social responses in accordance with international standards, briefly explaining what refers to complementary forms of protection.

It exposes an analysis of the profile of the Venezuelan migrant, xenophobia, human trafficking, sexual exploitation and forced labor that he suffers in foreign territories to understand the causes of the problem and propose effective solutions.

In addition, the legal regulation of the migrant in the US and Colombia is analyzed, with emphasis on Asylum and Refuge, as well as other existing legal alternatives and even that regulate the protection of migrants of other nationalities, but that at the time they suffered vulnerabilities like those faced by Venezuelans abroad and can serve as a reference framework to justify the recognition of Venezuelans as refugees in the legal systems under analysis.

Therefore, the present study offers not only legal but multidisciplinary proposals, with a view to preventing the legal and social vulnerability of the Venezuelan in exile, and, therefore, his re- victimization, inviting various actors of society to participate in the elaboration and implementation of humanitarian action plans and comprehensive, permanent, and effective legal protection, which guarantees their access to basic rights such as food, housing, work, health, and education.

Keywords: migration, Colombia, United States, Venezuela, protection, refugee, exile, human rights, humanitarian action, xenophobia, trafficking, exploitation, human trafficking