General Directorate of Migration and Alien Status Irregular Extra-Continental Migratory Flows: Return and Reintegration of these migrants General Directorate of Migration and Alien Status -February 2012-

Introduction The flows of extra-continental foreign nationals who enter Central America, Panama, and Mexico both regularly and irregularly (all destined for the United States and Canada) have increased considerably in recent years. In 2011, El Salvador reported the entry of 10,876 African and Asian citizens. The total for 2012 to date is 6,585. In recent years, El Salvador has identified irregular migratory flows that enter the country in transit.

Introduction The migratory flows identified are comprised of economic migrants, refugees, and other categories of persons (such as victims of trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling). Countries of origin of the migrants interviewed: Eritrea, Nepal, Bangladesh, Somalia, Nigeria, Algeria, China, Ghana, and Sri Lanka, among others.

Migratory Flow of Citizens of African Countries January–December 2011 Country Entry Exit Total Gabon 152 153 305 South Africa 108 98 206 Guam 71 61 132 Swaziland 12 66 78 Uganda 32 39 Guinea 37 69 Egypt 26 24 50 Namibia 23 49 Ivory Coast 11 31 42 Algeria 16 21 Cameroon 18 34 Morocco 17 33 Other Countries* 138 139 277 TOTAL 658 725 1,383 * Note of Interest: The category ‘Other Countries” includes 33 different nations, thus giving a total of 45 nationalities. 4

Migratory Flow of Citizens of Asian Countries January–December 2011 Country Entry Exit Total Phillipines 2,351 2,234 4,585 Japan 1,702 1,689 3,391 South Korea 1,302 1,203 2,505 Taiwan (Republic of China) 955 978 1,933 India 900 897 1,797 Israel 672 608 1,280 People’s Republic of China 519 562 1,081 Russia 463 576 1,039 Sri Lanka 330 292 622 Burma/Myanmar 136 135 271 Hong Kong 108 112 220 Indonesia 106 212 Turkey 115 81 196 Singapore 71 70 141 Malaysia 63 56 119 North Korea 49 52 101 Other Countries 376 387 763 General Total 10,218 10,038 20,256 * Note of Interest: The category ‘Other Countries” includes 27 different nations, thus giving a total of 43 nationalities. 5

Asian Nationalities with the Greatest Migratory Flows January–August 2012 Country Entry Exit Total South Korea 1163 1148 2311 Japan 1028 960 1988 Taiwan 638 662 1300 India 616 601 1217 Russia 515 499 1014 Israel 531 535 1066 People’s Republic of China 489 988 Sri Lanka 332 310 642 Turkey 141 134 175 Hong Kong 133 127 260 Other Countries* (22) 704 682 1386 General Total 6300 6147 12,347

African Nationalities with the Greatest Migratory Flows January–August 2012 Country Entry Exit Total Gabon 374 355 729 South Africa 95 102 197 Guinea 96 86 182 Burkina Faso 45 90 Chad 40 41 81 Ivory Coast 42 37 79 Uganda 36 73 Namibia 32 29 61 Ghana 23 46 Egypt 16 15 31 Oman 14 28 Other Countries 120 123 243 285 266 1852

Extra-Continental Flows that Have Been Received at the Comprehensive Migrant Services Center Year Cases Served RESOLUTION Total Expulsion Refugee Provisional Freedom 2008 10 Asians 4 Africans 3 Europeans 14 1 2 17 2009 59 Asians 33 Africans 5 Europeans 30 63 4 97 2010 41 Asians 21 Africans 39 16 10 65 2011 6 Asians 8 Africans 1 European 5 9 15 2012 2 Asians 5 Africans 6 3 (pending resolution) 92 93 18 203

Refugee Status Petitions Country Sex Total M F Eritrea 21 5 26 Bangladesh 25 Nepal Equatorial Guinea 1 73 78 2009 2010 Country Sex Total M F Eritrea 13 3 16 Bangladesh 2 Nepal 6 1 7 Nigeria Ethiopia Somalia 5 28 4 32

Refugee Status Petitions Country Sex Total M F Eritrea 6 2 8 Bangladesh 1 Argelia TOTAL 10 2011 2012 Country Sex Total M F Bangladesh 2 East Turkestan Ghana 6

Identified Routes Route from Nepal: Nepal, India, Dubai, Brazil, Peru, to Ecuador by air From Ecuador to Nicaragua by fishing vessel From Nicaragua to El Salvador by speed boat From El Salvador to the United States on foot and by car Route from India: India, Hong Kong, Macao (China), Amsterdam (Germany), and Panama by air From Panama to El Salvador by air From El Salvador by land (bus) to Guatemala Route from Eritrea: Eritrea, Sudan, Dubai, Brazil, to Ecuador by air Through Colombia and Panama to El Salvador by land (through Central America) From El Salvador to the United States by land Route from Asia: Mainland China, Nepal, Bangladesh, to India by air From India by ship to Ecuador (changing vessels in mid-ocean) From Ecuador by ship (passing through Central America) Route from Africa: Ethiopía, Somalia and South Africa to Russia or Saudi Arabia by air To Cuba and/or Ecuador by air From Ecuador to El Salvador

Logistical and Financial Difficulties in Returning Migrants High cost incurred to: Tend to migrants. (The Migrant Services Center spends approximately $150,000 per year.) Purchase airline tickets to return them to their country of origin or residence. The General Directorate has no specific budget item for this. Help in purchasing tickets has been requested from the IOM, Embassies, and relatives.

Logistical and Financial Difficulties in Returning Migrants Lack of a monetary fund that could contribute to ensuring a rapid and safe migratory exit process. The IOM only provides funds when the repatriation is voluntary; if not, there is no support. The language barrier represents one of the principal problems, due to the lack of interpreters. Lack of Embassies, Consulates, or honorary diplomatic representations of the extra-continental countries.

Challenges Creation of action protocols designed to quickly determine the identity, profile, and protection needs of individuals who travel in groups and arrive irregularly in the region. To achieve this, a liaison network of migration officers needs to be created to develop and execute a Regional Cooperation Plan for the return and reintegration of irregular extra-continental migrants. Facilitation and promotion of the migrant’s return to his/her country of origin. This requires voluntary return programs and re-admission agreements between countries. Creation of a regional voluntary return fund and reintegration programs.

Challenges Have available permanent, temporary, or virtual human resources to enable communication with this population in terms of linguistic interpretation. Develop quick and effective application procedures designed to comply with the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea, and Air Define a mechanism that allows updated information to be obtained regarding current conditions in the countries of origin.

Challenges Creation of a comprehensive system to share information on migratory flows, and specifically on extra-continental migrants. Strengthening, integration, and harmonization of existing mechanisms for identifying profiles and referring/channeling cases among the region’s countries. Regional legalization and establishment of clear protocols, procedures, and guidelines applicable to those extra-continental migrants who can not be returned due to vulnerability situations.