Digitalization and e‐government in the lives of urban migrants: Evidence from Bogotá

Abstract

Research on the role of information and communication technologies (ICT) to improve the lives of migrants is a growing field. However, studies in this area have been conducted mainly in wealthy countries, with municipalities that are capable of supporting migrants or refugees. There is less evidence from middle-income host countries and how ICTs can help migrants in their resettlement efforts. To address this gap, this study examines ICT access and the use of e-government services by Venezuelan migrants in Colombia and compares this group with short-and long-term residents of Bogotá. The descriptive analysis of the data reveals that, after controlling for demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, foreign migrants are less likely to own ICT devices compared to short-and long-term residents, but over time do acquire ICT access. In addition, Venezuelan migrants are less likely to use e-government services than their local peers even after controlling for demographic characteristics and internet access, with the exception of address registration. The results indicate that ICT access is not a sufficient condition for migrants to access e-government services and there is a need for policy coordination to reduce bureaucratic "red tape" that may diminish migrants' likelihood of accessing to e-government services.

Fostering inclusion for refugees and migrants and building trust in the digital public space

“…Finally, while there is increasing evidence that the role of ICTs in the field of migration and integration is growing in importance with governments opting for ICT tools tailored for migrant and refugee users (Martin‐Shields et al , 2021; García Alonso et al , 2021), most of these initiatives have taken a “top down” approach to implementation, not considering the needs or barriers certain vulnerable groups of migrants face, and not including end-users in the design and testing phases.…”

“…However, despite the wide use of technology to aid and manage migration and integration, there is in fact little research on the migration-ICT nexus, and on issues of exclusion, race and bias. Empirical studies of e-governance, especially on migration, remain concentrated in richer countries, skewing perspectives from the bottom up (Martin‐Shields et al , 2021), while interdisciplinary research on ICTs with migrants of low educational and socio-economic status or in an irregular or vulnerable position is few and far between (Visvizi and Lytras, 2021; Leurs and Smets, 2018; Nedelcu and Soysüren, 2020). This article makes a contribution in this important direction.…”

Apps, mobilities, and migration in the Covid-19 pandemic: Covid technology and the control of migrant workers in Singapore

“…The digitalization of migrant infrastructures has been proceeding steadily for some years (Brom and Besters, 2010; Chinedu et al, 2021; Low, 2021; Martin-Shields et al, 2021) and was boosted during the pandemic by the reappearance of digitalization as a general theme and messy reality (McAuliffe et al, 2021). Here everyday digital media, especially apps, played an important role that needs to be unpicked.…”

“…Our analysis picks up one of the 'digital migration imaginaries' laid out by Leurs and Smetsnamely, the top-down conceiving by government agencies of: Digital technologies, datafication, and databases employed for migration management, border control, surveillance, predictive analytics, deterrence campaigns, algorithmic decision making on the basis of biometrical data as well as using social media data. (Leurs and Smets, 2018: 3) The digitalization of migrant infrastructures has been proceeding steadily for some years (Brom and Besters, 2010;Chinedu et al, 2021;Low, 2021;Martin-Shields et al, 2021) and was boosted during the pandemic by the reappearance of digitalization as a general theme and messy reality (McAuliffe et al, 2021). Here everyday digital media, especially apps, played an important role that needs to be unpicked.…”

Innovative Sample Designs for Studies of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons

“…Aside from coverage issues, a logistical concern with sampling from camp registration lists is that not all researchers can access the lists (Martin-Shields et al, 2019). Although the approach of sampling from official registration lists can work well, alternatives are needed.…”