Exploring migration trends and anti-migrant sentiments through collaboration and empathy.

The 2025 Working Partner Program at KDI School once again demonstrated the power of collaboration among students and alumni from diverse backgrounds. This annual initiative encourages KDIS alumni to form research teams that address real-world development challenges, fostering a global exchange of ideas and evidence-based policy insights.

This year, a Latin American team proudly secured third place with their research project titled “Migration Trends, Drivers and Anti-migrant Sentiments from and within the Latin America and the Caribbean Region: A Comparative Analysis.” The team, composed of Alexandra Eras, Andrés Betancur, María Belén Guerrero, Milagros Trujillano, and Ranci Danis, brought together perspectives from across the region to shed light on one of the most pressing global issues of our time: migration.

A Research Topic Born from Urgency and Empathy

The main goal of their research was to analyze historical migratory flows from and within Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), identify the key drivers behind these patterns, and examine the rise of anti-migrant sentiments in both origin and destination countries.

When asked about the inspiration behind their study, Alexandra Eras (MDP, 2022) shared that the team was motivated by both current events and the need for a deeper understanding.

“One of our team members had already been working on anti-immigrant sentiments,” Alexandra explained. “At the time, Trump’s deportation policies were making headlines, and we felt that migration was a contemporary issue that needed to be discussed. Anti-migrant discourse isn’t just happening in the U.S. or Spain; it’s also present within our own countries. We wanted to start that discussion from a place of empathy.”

Their comparative approach examined not only the experiences of migrants leaving Latin America and the Caribbean but also how destination countries, both inside and outside the region, are responding to growing migration flows.

Key Findings: Migration Dynamics and Policy Gaps

According to María Belén Guerrero (MDP, 2023), the team identified three major regional trends shaping current migration dynamics.

“First, we noticed the increasing movement of people through dangerous routes, especially the Darién Gap between Colombia and Panama, as U.S. border restrictions have tightened. Second, after COVID-19, migration increased significantly due to economic crises. And third, there’s a lack of clear and coordinated public policies to manage these flows,” she explained.

The team highlighted how restrictive visa policies, once used primarily by destination countries, are now being adopted within the region. For example, several Latin American countries have imposed stricter entry requirements on Venezuelan migrants, an unintended reflection of the same anti-migrant sentiment once directed at their own citizens abroad.

Their comparative research also revealed the differing realities across countries. In the Dominican Republic, migration is predominantly from Haiti, while Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru have experienced large inflows of Venezuelan migrants.

“The project helped us better understand how our countries act toward both incoming and outgoing migrants,” Belén added. “It showed us how uncoordinated we often are, and how important it is to understand our own regional realities at the policy level.”

Connecting Regions, Building Networks

Beyond their findings, the project was a powerful opportunity for regional and intergenerational collaboration. For Milagros Trujillano (MDP, 2022), the experience went beyond research.

“It was amazing to learn from each other and understand the realities of different countries. When you research something, it’s not the same as when someone from that country tells you directly what’s happening,” she said. “This kind of collaboration helps us stay connected as a region and opens doors for future partnerships and projects that can generate real impact.”

The Working Partner Program also served as a bridge between KDIS alumni and current students, providing a space to apply classroom lessons to real-world challenges. “Programs like this are so valuable,” Belén emphasized. “They allow students to see how to apply what we learned at KDIS to policy-oriented projects. It’s a way of connecting theory and practice.”

Alexandra also reflected on how their research experience tied back to KDI School’s emphasis on evidence-based policymaking. 

“Our analysis was largely media-based, but it gave us a foundation for understanding how migration is being addressed in public policy,” she said. “There are laws and permits in place, but they often fail to function properly because they lack a cultural dimension that helps integrate migrants into society.”

Lessons Beyond the Data

The Latin American team’s work not only earned them recognition but also underscored the importance of empathy and cooperation in addressing migration issues. Their project stands as a testament to KDI School’s vision of nurturing global leaders who can translate academic learning into actionable insights for inclusive development.

As Milagros summarized, “At the end of the day, programs like this remind us that even though our countries are far apart, we share similar challenges, and by working together, we can start creating solutions that matter.”