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Considering the ongoing, record‐setting migration in the Global South, this paper explores the values, principles and ethical tensions of Venezuelan migrants in the informal economy of Colombia. We found that migrants frequently prefer to stay within the informal economy as a way of preserving their identities, values and principles, rather than adopting those of their new country. This choice sets up ethical tensions for the migrants and their host countries. Our analysis challenges the current policy goals of transitioning migrants from informal to formal economies as a mark of success and inclusion. Instead, we attempt to recognize the migrant voice and their agency capacity through our research using focus groups and applied thematic analysis (ATA) of popular music and narratives. Our findings broaden the understanding of why migrants choose to stay in the informal economy and challenge policy goals that focus on inclusion and integration of migrants into formal economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the factors that determine survival migrants' intention to stay in their host country, using a survey of Venezuelan migrants in Colombia and analysed by means of a binary regression model. A theoretical framework that explains the intention to stay was derived from the theory of return migration and confirmed the importance of both meso‐level and macro‐level factors in migrants' intention to stay. A macroeconomic comparison confirmed that macro‐level factors played a role in the decision to migrate and stay. With respect to meso‐level factors, we found that survival migrants' intentions deviate from those of voluntary migrants since ties to their home country were not significant influences on their intention to stay. In contrast, factors that strengthen or weaken structural integration and ties to the host country were often highly significant, as were factors that influenced survival migrants' knowledge of the host country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the role of information and communication technologies (ICT) to improve the lives of migrants is a growing field. However, studies in this area have been conducted mainly in wealthy countries, with municipalities that are capable of supporting migrants or refugees. There is less evidence from middle‐income host countries and how ICTs can help migrants in their resettlement efforts. To address this gap, this study examines ICT access and the use of e‐government services by Venezuelan migrants in Colombia and compares this group with short‐ and long‐term residents of Bogotá. The descriptive analysis of the data reveals that, after controlling for demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, foreign migrants are less likely to own ICT devices compared to short‐ and long‐term residents, but over time do acquire ICT access. In addition, Venezuelan migrants are less likely to use e‐government services than their local peers even after controlling for demographic characteristics and internet access, with the exception of address registration. The results indicate that ICT access is not a sufficient condition for migrants to access e‐government services and there is a need for policy coordination to reduce bureaucratic "red tape" that may diminish migrants' likelihood of accessing to e‐government services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colombia hosts one of the largest forced migrant populations in the world, with 1.7 million Venezuelans living there by November 2020. Since 2017, the Colombian government has provided temporary protection to more than 700,000 Venezuelans. We examine the effectiveness of this effort for labour market integration and access to education and health care. We find that temporary status has succeeded in providing legal protections to many migrants, and in providing some access to the labour market and basic education and health care. It may not advance long‐term mobility within the labour market or access to preventative or specialized health care. Implementation problems may also limit access in practice to basic education and health care. Perhaps most importantly, there have been no attempts in more than two years to provide temporary protection to migrants who entered the country irregularly, so a majority of Venezuelan nationals in Colombia now lack legal status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]