Regional Migratory Policy. The case of the MERCOSUR Residence (2002-2011)

Abstract

This article analyzes the migratory regional policy in the Southern Common Market. The multilateral treatment of the migratory phenomenon is new in the region. A matter traditionally associated with domestic politics become part of foreign relations and diplomacy. In addition, the logic of the integration requires a regional policy which is beneficial towards regional migrants and restrictive towards citizens of third countries. The first part of this article gives some conceptual precisions about the regional migrations movements and the process of integration. Then it examines some of the initiatives destined for the treatment of the human mobility in general and of the regional migration in the block. The Residence Agreements are considered the most important instruments in the matter, which define and construct the mercosurean migrant in contraposition with those of third countries. Finally, a few conclusions arise that do not try to be definitive but they invite to open the debate and the reflection for the future.