¿Migrantes económicos o refugiados? Sobre los flujos mixtos en las migraciones irregulares

Abstract

This paper discusses the expansion of the causes and complexities of international migration in the globalized world, focusing mainly on mixed migratory flows, in which it becomes difficult to distinguish between economic migrants and those seeking international protection. In this sense, it problematizes the international standards used to distinguish migrants considered refugees from those considered economic. By linking mixed migratory flows to trends in global and irregular migration, considers that the criteria used by destination countries to accept or reject irregular migrants do not always contemplate new demands for international protection. In this sense, argues that the definition of refugee status and the concept of mixed flows lack a revision to contemplate the new realities of international migration. Taking the migratory movements on the southern border of Spain as an empirical example of the problematic in question, focuses mainly on the case of the migrants from the sub-Saharan countries for the Spanish territory from the years 1990. In analyzing the lack of recognition of the demands for international protection in relation to irregular migrants considered economic and thus rejected at the border or returnees, concludes that the focus of migration policies aimed at combating irregular immigration for economic reasons may contribute to the invisibility of mixed flows.