Talent Beyond Boundaries in Latin America
Displacement in Latin America and the Caribbean is on the rise, with the region's forcibly displaced and stateless population expected to reach 25 million in 2024. Political instability, gang violence, and economic downturn are just a few drivers that push people to leave their countries. These are not decisions taken lightly, and the journey is full of unknowns. For many who leave, it is almost impossible to regain a sense of permanence, as statuses are often temporary, and the welcome levels in host communities change over time.
Photo credit: International Organization for Migration
At Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB), we focus on facilitating permanent solutions by enabling refugees to migrate for work with dignity and purpose. In April 2024, Gabriela Muñoz and I were thrilled to join TBB, launching the Latin American team. With over 7,000 displaced people registered in our Talent Catalog in Latin America, we see many excellent opportunities to link displaced people with employers who need their skills. While there have been many excellent efforts in recent years to integrate those who have been displaced into their host countries, many people have not been able to find meaningful employment that uses the incredible skills and experience they bring. Additionally, host governments frequently change immigration statuses, causing refugees to face challenges navigating systems to maintain or renew their permissions to stay and work in host countries.
Our vision
TBB envisions a world where every refugee can access safe and durable migration pathways, allowing them to relocate for work with dignity. We have helped over 1,600 refugee families relocate by matching them with international job opportunities in over seven countries. We aim to scale these efforts globally, providing lasting solutions for displaced individuals, especially in Latin America - a region with a wellspring of talent and skills waiting for an opportunity.
Planting seeds in Latin America
TBB co-hosted a hiring fair in Argentina in April with our partners at IRCC, UNHCR, Jumpstart, Tri-County Mennonite Homes, and St. Joseph’s Care Group. This hiring fair focused on sourcing talent who could participate in the Canadian Economic Mobility Pathway Pilot (EMPP). Candidates were interviewed both in person in Argentina and virtually for others located throughout the region. The delegation also met refugee-serving organizations working in Argentina to learn about the situations refugees face and where TBB can contribute to support refugees looking to migrate for work. While there are many displaced professionals in the region with skills in high demand, identifying candidates with the required English level for the EMPP is a challenge we are trying to overcome with the support of our partner organizations.
Our team met with regional partners at ACNUR Argentina
We are also excited to work with Welcome Corps at Work, part of the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) launching soon in Latin America. The program allows refugees with job offers in the US to enter the USRAP and then be screened and adjudicated as refugees before being resettled in the U.S. This program does not have a language requirement. We strongly encourage U.S. employers who could support Spanish-only speakers to consider hiring from our amazingly talented pool of displaced candidates as future employees.
Expanding our efforts in the region
Many Haitians, Cubans, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans have recently fled due to violence or political unrest. While we do have some registrations in the TBB Talent Catalog in Colombia and Mexico, and have already supported the relocation of Latin American candidates to Canada, we are working to spread the word throughout the various refugee communities in these countries to ensure that those who could benefit from refugee labor pathways know their options.
Colombia
Colombia hosts the largest number of displaced Venezuelans, but many still lack permanent status. We hope new refugee labor pathways can provide durable solutions. Earlier this month, we led a virtual workshop in Colombia for IOM, UNHCR, and Compensar to broaden their understanding of refugee labor pathways and the work of Talent Beyond Boundaries. In the upcoming weeks, we will also lead another workshop for NGOs in Colombia.
Mexico
Similarly, Mexico has provided integration solutions for many displaced persons, but some still need significant protection. TBB hopes to build our partner network in the country to ensure that those whose skills are needed overseas and who do not have a permanent, safe solution within their current country are aware of the opportunities that exist in Refugee Labor Mobility pathways.
TBB aims to build our partner network in Mexico to ensure those with needed skills know about refugee labor mobility pathways. We invite those working with displaced communities in Mexico and Colombia to join our network, share our Spanish-language posts, and highlight success stories.
Join us
The successes of the Canadian Economic Mobility Pathway Pilot and our upcoming collaboration with Welcome Corps at Work demonstrate the potential for significant impact in Latin America. However, this journey requires a collective effort. We call on governments, employers, NGOs, and community organizations to join us in expanding awareness and access to refugee labor mobility pathways. Together, we can create a future where displaced individuals are not merely surviving but thriving, contributing their talents and skills to communities that welcome them with open arms.