Chapter 4: The Dynamics of Inclusion and Exclusion of Central American and Caribbean Migrants in the Metropolitan Area of Guadalajara

Over the past decade, the Metropolitan Area of Guadalajara (AMG) has evolved from being merely a transit zone for migrants to becoming a significant final destination, akin to the rest of Mexico. Central American, Caribbean, and South American migrants are increasingly settling in these national and Tapatian lands. Driven by factors such as exhaustion, employment opportunities, or the desire to escape violence, many migrants now explicitly express their intention to remain in Guadalajara, with some stating that it was their goal from the outset. In this environment, migrants encounter both support and challenges: on one hand, they benefit from shelters, migrant houses, and government programs that facilitate access to education, health care, employment, and housing services; on the other hand, they face criminalization, discrimination, victimization, and a lack of recognition from certain segments of society and government. This chapter delves into the societal and governmental practices and discourses that shape the dynamics of inclusion and exclusion for migrants in our city.