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 18 November 2009
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UNHCR finds rise in African immigrants to Latin America

18/11/2009

Latin American countries are reporting a rise in immigrants from Africa.

African immigrants

African immigrants

This comes as European Union nations tighten their border controls, according to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR.

The number of African refugees and asylum seekers in Argentina has doubled from less than 500 to approximately 1,000 over the past three years, says Carolina Podesta, an Inforamtion Officer with UNHCR.

She says they come from Senegal, Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

"Some come from countries that basically you think that there are not conflicts. But if you research very carefully, you can see that maybe inside of those countries you have areas that are very unstable and guerillas are operating. So you have to be very careful. You have really to check carefully the situation of the country because apparently there are countries that are fine and they are democratic and they don't have any problems, but some people are facing really, really difficult times-and we care about these people."

In addition to Argentina, UNCHR says African immigrants are also travelling to Brazil. Others have headed to Mexico and Guatemala, which are seen as stepping stones to the United States.

Dianne Penn, UN Radio.

(duration: 1'16")

Sound bites

Carolina Podesta Cut 1

"Some come from countries that basically you think that there are not conflicts. But if you research very carefully, you can see that maybe inside of those countries you have areas that are very unstable and guerillas are operating. So you have to be very careful. You have really to check carefully the situation of the country because apparently they are countries that are fine and they are democratic and they don't have any problems, but some people are facing really, really difficult times-and we care about these people."
Duration: 00:00:27

Carolina Podesta Cut 2

"Some came legally and others don't, but you don't have to come into a country in a legal way to ask for refugee status; This is not a concern. You can be smuggling inside the country and be able to ask for refugee status and get it, because these persons could be victims of traffickers. It can be very scary, and [they] just don't know how to act; and they will try to get to be safe and to get somehow to another country. And then, this person will have plead the case, and the local government will say, "OK. Yes, you deserve this status, because you were a victim of persecution and your life is in danger."
Duration: 00:00:35

Carolina Podesta Cut 3

"Some people came very desperately. I mean they jump into a boat; they don't know where they go. They get into Argentina, and they don't know anything. They just know that we play futbol, and it's a big country. Not more than that. And, they are here, you know, and we have to work for they find a second chance, here."
Duration: 00:00:15