Perfil Migratorio de Uruguay - IOM Publications

The flows of returnees match emigration flows. While in past decades the majority
of returning migrants came from Argentina, returning migrants since 2000 are distributed in
similar proportions among those from Argentina, United States of America and Spain.
INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK, MIGRATION POLICIES
AND CIVIL SOCIETY
In recent years there have been notable advances towards the design of an appropriate
institutional framework to implement policies aimed at reducing possible negative impacts
of migration on social and economic development. Milestones such as the approval of a new
Migration Law, the creation of a Bureau of Consular Affairs and Liaison and an Office of Return
and Welcome under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, show that at present policy emphasis is
on linking circulation and return of emigrants. Despite these advances, much remains to be
done to ensure effective migration policies.
The approval of the Migration Law in 2008 deserves special consideration as it represents
a formal recognition of the human rights of migrants and their families, in line with the
most advanced international legislation. Of note in particular is the portion of the law related
to family reunification, which considers the granting of permanent residency up to the third
generation, not only for the spouse but also the partner.
In terms of civil society there has been notable progress in the creation of non-governmental
organizations whose aim is to promote and monitor migrant’s rights. In this sense a
significant milestone is the creation of a Migrant Support Network in 2010, made up of civil
society organizations committed to the rights of Uruguayans abroad, Uruguayan returnees, as
well as foreigners in the country. This network has organized and carried out many activities
that have contributed to placing migration on the national agenda.
However, it is necessary to continue awareness-raising actions and the promotion of
migrant and returnee rights. In the current context of growing immigration, it is important to
pay attention to the social conflicts that have been generated in other destination countries,
and to ensure that the integration of migrant groups be part of the country’s political agenda.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING MIGRATION STATISTICS
The Continuous Household Survey (CHS) conducted by the National Statistics Institute
is currently the main source of information on migration. The expanding size and scope of
the sample in 2006 provided data on the volume and profile of internal migrants, international
immigrants and returning emigrants, despite the absence of a population-wide survey.
However, it is advisable to include an explicit question to identify migrants who have retur-
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