Awaiting Election Outcomes in Chile’s Informal Settlements
At an informal settlement near a former landfill, a group of migrants anxiously awaits the results of Chile’s presidential election. The political atmosphere is charged, with significant segments of the population demanding tougher immigration measures against the estimated 330,000 undocumented individuals residing in the country.
The Immigration Debate Amid Rising Concerns
Illegal migration has become a contentious issue in the electoral landscape, often linked by many Chileans to an increase in crime rates. Two hard-right candidates are vocal in their pledges to deport all undocumented migrants, raising concerns among communities who have made Chile their home.
Threats of Deportation by Far-Right Candidates
Far-right lawyer José Antonio Kast has been particularly outspoken, urging migrants to leave on their own terms or face forced removal if he is elected president. Such rhetoric resonates with a segment of the electorate eager for stricter border controls.
Life in Nuevo Amanecer
Nuevo Amanecer (New Dawn), located west of Santiago, houses around 2,000 families, primarily from Haiti, Peru, Venezuela, and Colombia. In this settlement of modest brick homes topped with tin roofs, residents like Suhey Garcia and her family live in precarious conditions, having traversed the Andean high plains from Bolivia in search of a better life.
Facing Uncertainty and Fear
Garcia, a 30-year-old stay-at-home mother, fled the economic crisis in Venezuela in 2020. She worries about the implications of being sent back, stating, “I don’t have a home there. My children already have a stable life in Chile.” Her sentiment echoes the fears of many residents who have established roots in their new country.
Impact of Proposed Immigration Policies
The proposals from both Kast and his ultra-right rival, Johannes Kaiser, resemble the hardline stance on immigration seen during Donald Trump’s campaign in the US. With plans to bolster border security through trenches and troop deployments, the candidates stir fears among communities both documented and undocumented that their lives will be drastically affected.
A Call for Fairness and Empathy
Despite living in an environment of uncertainty, many residents, like Colombian native Nancy Guevara, emphasize their humanity. Guevara, who entered Chile as a tourist in 2024, along with her partner, an undocumented Haitian migrant, advocates for understanding: “Give them papers so they don’t have to live here illegally.” The message highlights a yearning for compassion in the face of adversity.
The Future for Chile’s Migrants
With a burgeoning migrant population comprising 8.8% of the overall demographic, Chile has, until recently, permitted a degree of freedom for undocumented foreigners. However, impending legislative measures pose threats to this fragile status quo. As the election draws near, the fear among families in Nuevo Amanecer grows that they may soon find themselves homeless, as they confront an uncertain future in a nation grappling with its identity.
