Areas and Practices of Discrimination Against Migrants in Chile: The Exacerbation of Otherness

Abstract

In recent decades, the American continent has experienced a notable increase in interregional migratory flows. In the case of Chile, this phenomenon has manifested itself in the intensification of the arrival of migrants from Latin American and Caribbean countries. However, the literature reports that this migration is part of historical processes of discrimination, racism, xenophobia and social exclusion. This research asks about those who suffer this discrimination and about the spheres and practices in which these elements are manifested, in order to make visible the spaces in which socially relevant opportunities for these groups are limited. The studies show that the classic intersections between the categories of race, gender, social class, remain unchanged to account for the structural and systemic inequalities that shape the presence of a migrant being deprived of rights, a different «other», precarious, who is made invisible and/or excluded. The findings of this study not only shed light on the situation of discrimination and migration in Chile, but also reveal patterns and challenges shared throughout the Americas. By connecting the experiences in Chile with those of other countries in the continent, the need for political and social approaches that recognize and address the transnational nature of migration becomes evident.