Migration

Alongside migration patterns in Latin America and the Caribbean, negative social perceptions of migrants are spreading. These perceptions have been amplified by political speeches, especially during election campaigns, which not only present migration as a problem, but also use it as a weapon to accuse opponents of an irresponsible opening of the borders and a lack of protection of its citizens. Disinformation feeds from preexisting prejudice; it strengthens it and it is used to drive narratives that pose migration as a threat.

1. Migrants as a Security Threat

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Rhetoric that links migrants to criminal acts. Usually, videos and images of isolated events or taken out of context are used to blame migrant groups of vandalism or crime. Another disinformation tactic involves the use of false statistics that link migration flows to an increase in insecurity.

Some examples are the claims that argue that:

• migrants commit crimes or acts of violence against local people.
• the figures of migrants charged with crimes are much higher than the actual numbers, or that migration flows lead to an increase in crime.
• isolated criminal offenses are attributed to international criminal gangs to link the entire migrant population to organized crime. Migrants that commit crimes belong to criminal gangs from other countries in the region.

2. Migrants as a Burden for the State

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Rhetoric that portrays the migrant population as a group seeking to take advantage of public services and demanding benefits or financial compensation to which they are not entitled. They emphasize alleged excessive demands that lead to conflict with the local population, or entry into the country for the sole purpose of accessing social benefits.

Some examples are the claims that argue that:

• migrants are taking action to demand benefits, such as “migrant vouchers” or various types of financial compensation. 
• migrants enter the country to claim benefits, carrying additional loads into the public system.

3. Politicians who Favor Migrants to the Detriment of Local Population

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Narratives that denounce alleged measures driven by governments or propositions from candidates aimed at benefiting migrants over the local population. These kinds of posts highlight the “injustice” of these alleged privileges and are used to attack political figures.

Some examples are the claims that argue that:

• candidates or governments want to use public and state-owned spaces to give housing to migrants. 
• governments offer jobs in the public sector to migrants.

4. Migration Numbers as an Alarm Tool

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Claims that spread wrong, outdated or inconsistent statistics about the number of migrants that live in different countries of Latin America, with a tendency to exaggerate the proportion of foreigners living in each country.

Some examples are the claims that argue that:

• the proportion of migrants in a country is larger than in other territories used as reference.
• the total number of Venezuelan migrants in the region is much higher than the real one.

5. Migrants as a Threat to Traditions and Local Identity

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Claims that spread false information about the cultural impact of migrants, presenting them as a threat to customs, traditions and the national identity. This type of speech usually portrays the migrants’ cultural or religious practices as incompatible with the values of the host society, and resorts to isolated events, or downright fabricated, to introduce the idea of cultural conflict.

Some examples are the claims that assure that:

• migrant groups destroy or sabotage local celebrations and festivities, like religious celebrations or national traditions, because they consider them to be opposite to their beliefs.
• the number of migrants of a certain religion grows explosively, citing population figures not supported by official data.
• migrants demand changing national symbols, like the national anthem, to feel more included in the host country.
• Venezuelan migrants are appointed, without justification, to fill symbolic or representative roles in their host country, such as serving as the new official spokesperson for the public transportation system. 

6. Migrants as a Tool for Electoral Fraud

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Statements that condemn the involvement of migrants in fraud schemes orchestrated by others. They point to the improper involvement of individuals who, without being authorized to do so, cast their votes for a particular candidate or are exploited by political forces to influence election results. 

Some examples are the claims that argue that:

• non-eligible immigrants participate in the election illegally to vote for a specific candidate.
• migrants are being hired by political forces to cross the border and vote, to affect a country’s election results.
• migrants are being registered in the electoral system illegally to participate in elections.

7. Migrants as a Threat to Electoral Balance

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Narratives that portray the migrant population as a player capable of swaying election results in favor of certain candidates.

Some examples are the claims that argue that:

• the numbers of migrants registered to vote are exaggerated to create the impression that they can determine the outcome of an election.
• migrants with legal status would be eligible to vote in national elections.
• measures to regularize migration are presented as strategies to enable migrant voters in favor of certain candidates.

8. Disinformation Targeting Migrants

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Narratives that spread false information about the entry requirements of different countries in the region. They include spreading alleged changes in migration legislation, as well as posts offering fraudulent services to handle administrative procedures in order to facilitate access.

Some examples are the claims that argue that:

• entry requirements between neighboring countries have been changed to restrict or facilitate access. 
• countries in the region have imposed new visa requirements on citizens who previously did not need one.
• there are ways to facilitate immigration procedures by offering fraudulent services on social media.