About the Migration Governance Indicators

Migrants' rights

Indicators in this domain assess the extent to which migrants have the same status as citizens in terms of access to basic social services such as health, education, and social security. It also describes the rights of migrants to family reunification, to work, and to residency and citizenship. The ratification of the main international conventions is also included within this domain.

Indicators in this category look at the extent to which migrants have access to certain social services such as health, education and social security. They also examine measures to ensure integration and access to work.

Whole of government approach

Indicators in this domain assess countries’ institutional, legal, and regulatory frameworks related to migration policies. Domain 2 also reviews the existence of national migration strategies that are in-line with development, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in relation to migration management. This domain also investigates the extent to which governments collect and use migration data.

Indicators in this category assess the institutional frameworks of cities for migration. This area also examines the existence of migration strategies consistent with development objectives, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in migration management.

Partnerships

This domain focuses on countries’ efforts to cooperate on migration-related issues with other states and with relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector. Cooperation can lead to improvements in governance by aligning and raising standards, increasing dialogue and providing structures to overcome challenges.

Indicators in this category focus on cities’ efforts to cooperate on migration issues with the national government as well as other cities and relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector.

Well-being of migrants

This domain includes indicators on countries’ policies for managing the socioeconomic well-being of migrants, through aspects such as the recognition of migrants’ educational and professional qualifications, provisions regulating student migration and the existence of bilateral labour agreements between countries. Indicators equally focus on policies and strategies related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances.

Indicators in this category assess cities’ initiatives in terms of international student mobility, access to the labour market and decent working conditions for migrant workers. Aspects related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances are also included in this domain.

Mobility dimensions of crises

This domain studies the type and level of preparedness of countries when they are faced with mobility dimensions of crises, linked to either disasters, the environment and/or conflict. The questions are used to identify the processes in place for nationals and non-nationals both during and after disasters, including whether humanitarian assistance is equally available to migrants as it is to citizens.

Indicators in this category examine the type and level of readiness of cities to deal with aspects of mobility crises. The questions focus on the processes in place for citizens and non-citizens both during and after disasters, especially if humanitarian assistance is available for migrants and citizens.

Safe, orderly and regular migration

This domain analyses countries’ approach to migration management in terms of border control and enforcement policies, admission criteria for migrants, preparedness and resilience in the case of significant and unexpected migration flows, as well as the fight against trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants. It also assesses efforts and incentives to help integrate returning citizens.

Indicators in this category look at the cities’ approaches to migrant safety as well as return and reintegration policies and the fight against trafficking in persons.

Key findings

INTRODUCTION

This Profile describes examples of well-developed areas of Municipality of La Cruz (Costa Rica) migration governance structures and areas with potential for further development, as evaluated through the six domains of the Migration Governance Indicators (MGI). These address migrants’ rights, a “whole-of-government” approach, partnerships, socioeconomic well-being of migrants, the mobility dimensions of crises, and safe and orderly migration.

Click the icons on the wheel to explore the key findings.

The Migration Governance Indicators (MGI) initiative is a policy-benchmarking programme led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and implemented with research and analysis from the Economist Intelligence Unit. Funding is provided by IOM Member States.

Key findings

MIGRANTS’ RIGHTS

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

The municipality collaborates with private companies to mount health campaigns targeting different vulnerable population segments, including migrants.
There are two Childcare and Development Centres, as well as three Education and Nutrition Centres and Integrated Childcare Centres in La Cruz, which serve the migrant community with no distinction whatsoever.
The La Cruz Municipal Migrant Centre (CMM) provides legal services and counsel for migrants.
The Women’s Affairs Office in the municipality’s Department of Social Management provides guidance to users for obtaining appointments relating to asylum or to residence permits, and coordinates with local organizations to provide migrants with assistance and information.

Areas with potential for further development

There are no information and awareness-raising campaigns to combat xenophobia and exclusion or to counter acts of discrimination against migrants in the provision of social services.
The development of programmes to guide or welcome newly arrived migrants is deemed an area with potential for further development.

Key findings

WHOLE-OF-GOVERNMENT APPROACH

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

Since its inauguration in December 2021, the Municipal Migrant Centre (CMM) has been the municipal body tasked with streamlining guidance services for migrants in La Cruz – including access to services.
The municipality of La Cruz provides clear and transparent information as to migrants’ rights, duties and access to municipal public services through CMM.
Since February 2022, CMM has been part of the Inter-agency Working Group on International Protection and Migration, which is a consultation and coordination forum.

Areas with potential for further development

The municipality still lacks a local migration strategy or policy laid out in a programme document or manifesto.
There is no formal process of coordination at the political, technical and operational levels for migration issues in La Cruz.
Providing regular training for municipal officers in cultural sensitivity is an area with potential for development.

Key findings

PARTNERSHIPS

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

The municipality of La Cruz cooperates actively with United Nations agencies on migration issues.
La Cruz Cantonal Council for Institutional Coordination coordinates the design, implementation and

oversight of public policy with local implications, to which end they coordinate the municipality or District Municipal Council and public bodies with cantonal or district-level representation.

Areas with potential for further development

Cooperation between public-sector institutions and civil society organizations in formulating and implementing migration policies so far has only been on an ad hoc basis.
There is no public evidence that local authorities participate in international networks for the sharing of knowledge or best practices on migration.
There are as yet no bilateral programmes for cooperation on migration among La Cruz and other cities, either in Costa Rica or internationally.

Key findings

WELL-BEING OF MIGRANTS

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

The Municipal Migrant Centre (CMM) shares information about vacancies available in the canton, and it operates a virtual database and receives CVs in person for referral to companies that request them.
The Cantonal Plan for Local Human Development 2017–2026 (2016) lays out gender-sensitive actions implemented by the Women’s Affairs Office.
In March 2022, CMM, the Women’s Foundation and the municipality jointly organized a meeting with migrants in order to ascertain their training needs.

Areas with potential for further development

No assessments are undertaken to monitor the local labour supply and the effects of emigration on the local labour market.
Developing local programmes to assist employers in hiring migrants is deemed an area with potential for further development.
The municipality still lacks specific strategies to support foreign residents in entrepreneurship.

Key findings

MOBILITY DIMENSION OF CRISES

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

There are local communication systems for receiving information on evolving crisis situations and ways of reaching assistance services.
The Cantonal Emergency Plan (2021) aims to “establish the mechanisms for activating the La Cruz Municipal Emergency Committee through the preparedness and response subsystem, in the event of emergency situations in the canton”.
The Emergency Activation Protocol laid down in the Cantonal Emergency Plan is followed in situations of emergency.

Areas with potential for further development

The Cantonal Emergency Plan does not lay down specific guidelines on migration-related issues stemming from environmental degradation and the adverse impacts of climate change.
The Cantonal Emergency Plan addresses emergency response strategies without pinpointing the specific needs and vulnerabilities of migrant women.
The municipality does not implement specific measures to ensure the protection of unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents.

Key findings

SAFE, ORDERLY AND REGULAR MIGRATION

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

The municipality coordinates actions to tackle and prevent human trafficking with the Local Inter-agency Network against Violence, which is run by the National Institute for Women.
There are mechanisms to ensure that migrants are able to access justice as needed, through the Municipal Migrant Centre (CMM) and the Courts or Houses of Justice (Tribunales o Casas de Justicia).
Since December 2021, the CMM has been compiling monthly and annual data on migrants consulting information or accessing its services.

Areas with potential for further development

There is no evidence of any specific and regular training in migration-related matters designed for representatives of the Public Force (or National Police) who work in the territory.
Putting in place a local agency and a strategy to prevent human trafficking is an area with potential for further development.

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