The impact of Safe Mobility Offices on mixed migration in Latin America

About MMC

MMC is a global network engaged in data collection, research, analysis, and policy and programmatic development on mixed migration, with regional hubs in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Latin America, and a global team based across Copenhagen, Geneva and Brussels. MMC is a leading source for independent and high-quality data, research, analysis and expertise on mixed migration. MMC aims to increase understanding of mixed migration, to positively impact global and regional migration policies, to inform evidence-based mixed migration responses for people on the move and to stimulate forward thinking in public and policy debates on mixed migration. MMC’s overarching focus is on human rights and protection for all people on the move.

The MMC is part of, and governed by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC). For more information on MMC visit our website (http://www.mixedmigration.org/).

PURPOSE OF THE CONSULTANCY

The MMC seeks proposals from researchers to conduct mixed methods research on the first results of the Safe Mobility Offices (SMOs) initiative in Latin America and the Caribbean.

This includes understanding of:

• what is the new migration management paradigm proposed by the USA for the region with this initiative;
• what are the announced objectives and the results after the first months of implementation;
• how the SMOs function in practice, including how and whether they are accessed, and by whom;
• How do they influence the migration planning and decision-making of people on the move;
• how they influence broader mixed migration dynamics in the region and irregular migration and migrant smuggling towards the United States in particular;
• whether a similar set-up could be applied elsewhere, ie along migration routes through Africa and Asia towards Europe.

BACKGROUND

Since June 2023 the United States has established Safe Mobility Offices (SMOs) in South and Central America in order to address large-scale migration through Latin America to its southern border. Set up in partnership with the selected countries of Guatemala, Costa Rica, Colombia and Ecuador, and with support from UNHCR and IOM, SMOs have been heralded as a way to direct refugees and migrants to lawful pathways and help them avoid the risks associated with onward movement, to provide people seeking safety, security, economic opportunity, and reunification with family access to regularized pathways closer to home and to provide an alternative to migrants relying on smugglers by facilitating access to lawful pathways to the United States and other countries, reducing irregular migration.

Since opening, tens of thousands of people have accessed SMOs, submitting applications in the hope of attaining one of four options for regular pathways into the US – refugee resettlement, humanitarian parole, family reunification, or labour pathways. Despite being a relatively new initiative there are several criticisms already surrounding it. These include concerns about accessibility and the limited number of eligible nationalities. Additionally, there is a lack of transparency regarding how they function, including processing timelines. Some people are also sceptical about their wider impact and potential negative consequences, including the consequences of the SMOs existence on the right to seek asylum at the US/Mexico border. Due to both the novelty of the initiative, as well as the limited evidence base currently existing around the SMOs, further research is needed.

OBJECTIVES

The overall objective of this consultancy is to conduct research on the results of the Safe Mobility Offices (SMOs) initiative in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and explore potential applicability in other contexts.

The specific objectives are:

• To characterize the new migration management paradigm proposed by the USA for the region.
• To evaluate the initial outcomes of the SMOs considering the stated objectives of the initiative.
• To analyze the influence of the SMOs initiative on the dynamics of mixed migration in the region.
• To explore the potential applicability of the initiative in other contexts.

Research questions

1. What role do the SMOs play in the US approach to migration governance in the region?
   1. What are the announced objectives of the SMOs?
   2. How are the different SMOs functioning in practice?
   3. In which regional contexts of mixed migration dynamics are the SMOs implemented? What other measures for managing regional migration are implemented by the US and other countries in LAC, alongside the SMOs?
2. What are the first results of the SMOs initiative?
   1. How many people have applied through Safe Mobility Offices? How many have been referred for US resettlement, humanitarian parole, or other lawful pathways?
   2. Do the SMOs meet the stated objectives of providing access to safe and legal pathways to migrants in the region?
   3. How accessible are SMOs, and what are the barriers, if any, to access?
3. What is the knowledge of people on the move about the SMOs?
   1. What do (prospective) migrants in Latin America know about SMOs?
   2. How do people on the move access information about the SMOs?
   3. How accurate is their knowledge and is there any disinformation about SMOs circulating?
4. How do SMOs influence migration plans and decision-making?
   1. How do SMOs influence migration decision making including the decision to migrate, as well as the choice of migration routes, transit countries and destination?
   2. How do SMOs influence decision-making regarding regular and irregular migration and onward movement?
   3. Do SMOs provide viable regular migration options for migrants?
   4. Are people who are accessing SMOs people who would have otherwise migrated regularly or irregularly?
   5. When migrants are not successful in obtaining regular entry into North America through SMOs, do they still consider irregular migration as an alternative to achieving their migration goals?
5. What influence do SMOs have on broader mixed migration and asylum dynamics in the region?
   1. To what extent are SMOs impacting broader mixed migration dynamics in Latin America?
   2. What is the impact on the protection and access to rights of people on the move in the region?
   3. What do SMOs mean for the right to seek asylum at the US Southern border?
6. What potential relevance do SMOs have for other contexts?
   1. How applicable would SMOs be in other contexts, namely along mixed migration routes in Africa and Asia towards Europe?
   2. What lessons learnt (challenges, risks, opportunities, effectiveness, etc.) from the Latin American context could be used when considering or implementing a similar model of SMOs in other regional contexts, mainly in the context of mixed migration towards Europe?

Target population

Migrants over the age of 18 on the move in Latin America who are planning to transit through, or are already in transit, in Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Guatemala and Ecuador. This includes, for example, Cubans, Haitians, Venezuelans, Nicaraguans, Guatemalans and Colombians, but is dependent on the country SMOs are in.

Research methodology

It is expected that the researcher would employ a mixed methods approach to this research incorporating desk research, and both primary qualitative and quantitative data.

Quantitative data:

Since November 2023, MMC has conducted 650 4Mi interviews with migrants in Colombia, Costa Rica and Mexico, inclusive of a module focusing on migrants’ knowledge and use of SMOs. This quantitative data set would be made available to the researcher for analysis and incorporation into this research assignment.

Qualitative data:

The consultant would be expected to conduct additional qualitative data collection. This could include conducting Key Information Interviews (KIIs) and/or Focus Groups Discussions (FGDs) with migrants (including those who have applied to the SMOs) and other key stakeholders (i.e. government representatives/policy makers (US, Spain, Canada, as well as European states), UN agencies (mainly UNHCR, IOM), service providers, NGOs, SMO employees, etc.). While MMC and DRC Colombia would facilitate to access to migrants who have applied to the SMO in Colombia and to some key stakeholders, it is expected that the consultant would bring their own networks and proactively and independently engage key informants.

DELIVERABLES

This research assignment should culminate in a substantial research report of approximately 25 pages, inclusive of key findings and recommendations, and in line with MMC’s editorial guidelines.

The researcher is also expected to conduct a presentation of the findings with key stakeholders.

At the start of the research, the consultant will submit an inception report with a more detailed workplan.

DURATION, TIMELINE AND PAYMENT

The research should take place between March and June 2024. The expected number of consultancy days is between 30 and 60 days. The research may include a combination of remote/home-based work as well as travel within the region.

Initial payment, 20% upon signature of the contract.

Final payment, 80% after the successful completion of all deliverables.

REPORTING ARRANGEMENT

The research will be overseen by the MMC Director, in collaboration with the MMC Manager for Latin America and the Caribbean.

EXPECTED PROFILE OF THE CONSULTANT

• A degree in Law, Social Sciences, International Development, Migration or any other related area of study
• Demonstrable experience on matters relating to (mixed) migration within the Latin and North American contexts
• A strong and proven background (e.g. through prior publications), knowledge and understanding of mixed migration dynamics and policies within the Latin and North American contexts
• Experience in working with vulnerable populations and research ethics
• Proven research skills and experience in the area of forced migration and/or mixed migration, including high quality publications independently produced in English
• Excellent analytical and reporting skills.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Spanish

SUBMISSION PROCESS

Please see Request for Proposal (RFP) section III, clause A.

Candidates should submit an application including:

• Documents requested in the Request for Proposal (RFP), section III, clause A
• Cover Letter
• CV including references of previous relevant experience (max. 4 pages)
• Technical proposal (max 5 pages) including: proposed approach and workplan
• Financial proposal: budget (in CHF), which shall cover all costs over the course of the consultancy. The budget should be broken down as described below:

A. Consultancy fees – daily and total

B. Technical costs – phones, etc.

C. Travel costs, if applicable

D. Miscellaneous (e.g. insurance, printing, etc. – please specify in the financial proposal)

EVALUATION OF BIDS

The evaluation process consists of three stages: 1) Administrative, 2) Technical and 3) Financial. This process is explained in the Request for Proposal (RFP), section III.

Only those shortlisted might be contacted for an interview with the panel to ensure their understanding of the consultancy services.

GENERAL

Commitments: DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability commitments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework (http://www.drc.dk/HAF.4265.0.html)

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website www.drc.ngo. For further information about the Mixed Migration Centre visit www.mixedmigration.org.