Print Friendy PageUNHCR | Washington Regional Office Arriving Asylum SeekersPopulation characteristicsThe principal migrant and asylum-seeking populations in the Caribbean region have historically been Haitians and Cubans. For Cuban nationals, the Caribbean states are mainly transit countries to the U.S., while in the case of Haitians the Caribbean states are both transit and destination countries. The arrival of “extra-continental” migrants, asylum seekers and refugees began to be visible to a significant degree during the period 2004-2005. Since 2004, the number of extra-continental arrivals to the region has grown exponentially each year. The most affected country has been Trinidad and Tobago, which has received over 300 extra-continental asylum seekers mainly from Africa (arriving within wider movements of thousands of extra-continental migrant arrivals to the country) since 2004. For small-island states who do not consider themselves asylum destinations, these numbers have created considerable discomfort and alarm. The refugee population in the Caribbean region is an urban population comprised of over 30 nationalities from the Caribbean, Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East, making it a very diverse refugee population. The refugee population is spread out over the entire Caribbean region (27states and territories), and therefore is highly dispersed within host communities. Protection Needs and Solutions for Refugees in the CaribbeanAlthough most Caribbean states have acceded to the 1951 Convention and its 1967 Protocol, only two states in the region has passed national refugee legislation, and in these two countries the national refugee is unimplemented in practice. As such, asylum seekers generally do not have access to national procedures. In countries where there is no functioning asylum system, UNHCR undertakes missions to interview asylum seekers and determine if they can be recognized as refugees. Refugees recognized by UNHCR in general are protected from refoulement, but often encounter obstacles to the enjoyment of all other rights. Caribbean states generally do not facilitate local integration or even temporary migratory status. When local integration in the country of asylum is not an option, UNHCR pursues resettlement as a possible durable solution. Resettlement from the Caribbean to a Third CountryUNHCR Washington began to pursue resettlement as a durable solution for refugees in the Caribbean in 2007. Since that time, the Office has made increased efforts to proactively identify refugees in need of resettlement: such as women-at-risk cases, cases involving prolonged or indefinite detention, or other specific physical security risks. To date, UNHCR Washington has resettled a small number of refugees to the United States. In 2011, we will expand our resettlement efforts from the Caribbean to Norway, Sweden, New Zealand, Spain, Australia, Canada and United Kingdom. Family ReunificationThe Caribbean Unit coordinates refugee family reunification movements in the Caribbean region, in partnership with UNHCR Geneva headquarters, other UNHCR field offices, local NGO partners, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The Caribbean Unit assists refugee family members in processing all the necessary documents for their trip (passports, visas, entry permits, etc.) and ensures that travel is completed voluntarily and in a safe, dignified manner. In the past several years, the Caribbean Unit has facilitated family reunification, mainly of family members in Haiti, to join relatives in a variety of asylum countries including Argentina, Ecuador, Mexico and Spain. Voluntary RepatriationSecuring a durable solution for refugees is a principal goal of international protection and part of UNHCR’s mandate. When requested, UNHCR assists asylum seekers and refugees in returning to their home countries so long as UNHCR considers decision to return to be a voluntary decision and that the situation in the person’s home country is stable enough for a safe return. In cases of migrants stranded in the Caribbean, UNCHR refers them to the International Office of Migration (IOM) for assistance under their stranded migrant program. Number of Arrivals of Extra-Continental
|
