Regional governance of migration in South America

The emigration of more than seven million Venezuelans since 2015, primarily to countries in South America, has repositioned the region on the global map of migratory phenomena and analysis. Until 2015, South American governments had assumed remarkable positions on the issue of international migration. This chapter offers an overview of recent developments in migration governance in South America at both the regional and national levels. In our analysis, we will focus on the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) Residence Agreement, Decision 878 of the Andean Community (CAN), and discuss the liberalization of various national legislation and the responses to the arrival of Venezuelans. We will also discuss the work of various regional fora on migration governance, including the South American Conference on Migration and the Quito Process. The conclusion highlights additional room for research.