Migration and immigrant rights stand out as a field of both social and political crisis in Chile, as in many countries today. President Gabriel Boric’s plan to grant permanent residency to approximately 182,000 undocumented immigrants has reignited political and social polarization in the country. This initiative has received different criticisms from both the right and the left, while also garnering support from the business world and human rights organizations.
The Boric administration’s plan shows that immigration policies have transcended being a social issue and have become the center of political competition. This situation once again highlights that the issue of immigration is not only a humanitarian matter but also closely related to national identity, security, and economic interests.
The plan, which the government calls “limited regulation,” covers immigrants who entered Chile illegally and participated in the biometric registration process between June 2023 and February 2024. The plan aims to register the identification details of these migrants, provide them with a “Rol Único Tributario (RUT)” tax number, and grant long-term legal residency to those who meet certain conditions. Among these conditions, there is a requirement to have employment or family ties, while individuals with a criminal record have been excluded from this program.
The immigration reform plan has been criticized from different perspectives by both the right and the left. Groups on the right, such as the Independent Democratic Union (UDI), argue that this plan weakens border security and encourages illegal immigration. Senator Luz Ebensperger’s statement that the plan is “unpresentable” and her accusation that the government is “offering incentives to illegal immigrants” demonstrate how firm the right is taking a stance on this issue.[1] These criticisms also suggest that the right wing considers immigration policies solely within the framework of security, ignoring the social and economic dimensions.
On the other hand, different voices are being raised within Boric’s own coalition. Raúl Soto, a member of the Democracy Party (PPD), stated that during a period of rising crime rates, the government should focus on border security and that such a blanket amnesty measure is not politically feasible.[2] These criticisms reveal that the plan is not seen as an ideal solution from either the right or the left perspective. Additionally, this situation also points to the difficulties the Boric administration faces in establishing a common immigration policy within the coalition.
The plan has received support, especially from the business world and the agricultural sector. The business world argues that granting legal work permits will regulate the immigrant workforce and thereby reduce the informal economy. From a human rights perspective, Human Rights Watch (HRW) Latin America Director Juanita Goebertus has described the plan as “very positive.”[3] Goebertus, arguing that legalizing immigrants and allowing them to work in official jobs reduces crime rates, cited Colombia’s experience of regularizing 2.5 million Venezuelan migrants as an example.[4]
In Chile, immigration debates have become a political tool in the context of the upcoming 2025 general elections. In addition to the traditional right-wing coalition Chile Vamos, the Republican Party (PR), which has adopted a harsher anti-immigrant rhetoric, has increased its votes in recent years. However, as the influence of PR Leader José Antonio Kast wanes, new figures like Johannes Kaiser have begun to rise in the far-right political scene. Kaiser’s self-identification as a “paleolibertarian” and his effective use of social media are creating a new polarization on the right wing. This situation indicates that the issue of immigration will continue to be at the center of political competition.
According to a research survey, Evelyn Matthei, one of the traditional leaders of the right, ranks first with 26.4%, while former President Michelle Bachelet comes in second with 13.1%. Kaiser’s 8.1% vote share in fourth place also indicates a search for a new balance within the right.[5] In this context, it is clear that migration policies are not only a humanitarian issue but also used as a tool for political mobilization. This situation reveals how voter behavior responds to migration-based discussions and how parties strategically use this issue to strengthen their political positions.
The bureaucratic setbacks experienced during the implementation of the plan have caused confusion among the public. The chaos that occurred on December 16, 2024, at the Víctor Jara stadium in Santiago resulted in thousands of migrants rushing to the biometric registration process due to misinformation. This situation can be perceived as an indication of the government’s shortcomings in promoting and implementing its plan. The inconsistent statements from government officials have created distrust among both immigrants and the public. Moreover, such communication issues indicate that the Boric administration is facing a serious test not only regarding this specific plan but also in terms of the general acceptability and credibility of its policies among the public.
Chile’s immigration regulation plan can be considered an initiative attempting to balance human rights, economic integration, and political strategies. However, this plan faces many challenges due to conflicts in domestic politics and bureaucratic shortcomings. The Boric administration needs to create a balanced policy that will gain public trust while defending immigrant rights. Achieving this balance requires a comprehensive approach that not only ensures the social integration of immigrants but also addresses public concerns. Otherwise, shortcomings in the implementation of the plan and communication issues could further weaken public confidence in the government’s overall management capacity, which could undermine the Boric administration’s position in the upcoming elections.
This process can serve as an example not only for Chile but also for other countries in Latin America. There is much to learn from the experiences of countries like Colombia, but a more comprehensive vision needs to be developed when addressing the economic and social impacts of migration. In Chile, immigration debates, while remaining a political battleground in the short term, are thought to continue being a critical issue that will shape the country’s social and economic fabric in the long term.
[1] Maria Luisa Cisternas, “Regularización Acotada?: Anuncio del Gobierno Sobre Migrantes Empadronados Genera Resquemor en la Oposición”, Emol.com, www.emol.com/noticias/Nacional/2024/12/12/1151173/regularizacion-acotada-anuncio-cordero-alarmas.html, (Accessed Date: 12.22.2024).
[2] “Raúl Soto Hizo Llamado a ‘Dejar de Romantizar la Migración’“, ChileVision, www.chilevision.cl/contigo-en-la-manana/politica/raul-soto-hizo-llamado-a-dejar-de-romantizar-la-migracion, (Accessed Date: 12.22.2024).
[3] Maolis Castro, “Juanita Goebertus, de Human Rights Watch: ‘Expulsar Migrantes No Derrota el Crimen Organizado, lo Fortalece”, El País, www.elpais.com/chile/2024-12-17/juanita-goebertus-de-human-rights-watch-expulsar-migrantes-no-derrota-el-crimen-organizado-lo-fortalece.html, (Accessed Date: 12.22.2024).
[4] Ibid.
[5] Patricio Mora, “Evelyn Matthei Lidera Carrera Presidencial y Bachelet Sube a la Segunda Posición Tras Superar a Kast, Según Pulso Ciudadano”, El Centro, www.diarioelcentro.cl/2024/12/02/evelyn-matthei-lidera-carrera-presidencial-y-bachelet-sube-a-la-segunda-posicion-tras-superar-a-kast-segun-pulso-ciudadano/, (Accessed Date: 12.22.2024).
