A multi‐scalar critical analysis of return migration policies in Mexico

Abstract

Services and resources for migrants returning to Mexico are necessary to ease their transition and “re‐integration” into home communities. Policies that do not have a holistic approach can result in serious implications for the social, political, cultural, and health of returnees, receiving families, and communities. This research critically analyses return migration policies in Mexico drawing from the intersectionality‐based policy analysis framework and a multi‐scalar approach to critically study return migration policies in Mexico. We analysed 20 return migration policies using the principles of the intersectionality‐based policy analysis framework. In 2021, we interviewed those impacted by return migration policies in Veracruz, Mexico to gain deeper insights into return migration policies. Women who stayed behind, return migrants, community leaders, and health‐care providers were interviewed via phone or face‐to‐face in Spanish. Information was transcribed verbatim and analysed with the aid of computer‐assisted data analysis software and quotes were translated into English. They shed light on two major inequities in policies: (1) the lack of acknowledgement of diversity or return migrants and (2) the exclusion of receiving families and communities from the “re‐integration” process of return migrants. Based on the multi‐scalar critical policy analysis, return migration policies in Mexico would benefit from a more comprehensive and inclusive approach where the needs of return migrants and community members are protected based on their diversity.

Intersectional Principles of Community Partnership and Social Justice in Qualitative Research in Migration

“…The research involved document reviews, participant observations, and in-depth interviews. A policy analysis was conducted of the current return migration policies in Mexico (Fernández-Sánchez et al, 2023). Participant observations included living in Agua Dulce to get deeper insights into the cultural values of the community and families.…”