The public health consequences of mandatory return migration: a call for action

Migration has long shaped human societies, often generating complex social and political dynamics. In the United States, migration from Latin America represents a significant proportion of inflows, but increasingly restrictive policies have intensified hardships for migrants. Returning migrants freq...

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Main Authors: Juan S. Izquierdo-Condoy, José Pablo Salazar-Aguilar, Jorge Vasconez-Gonzalez, Esteban Ortiz-Prado
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1577018/full
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author Juan S. Izquierdo-Condoy
José Pablo Salazar-Aguilar
Jorge Vasconez-Gonzalez
Esteban Ortiz-Prado
author_facet Juan S. Izquierdo-Condoy
José Pablo Salazar-Aguilar
Jorge Vasconez-Gonzalez
Esteban Ortiz-Prado
author_sort Juan S. Izquierdo-Condoy
collection DOAJ
description Migration has long shaped human societies, often generating complex social and political dynamics. In the United States, migration from Latin America represents a significant proportion of inflows, but increasingly restrictive policies have intensified hardships for migrants. Returning migrants frequently encounter systemic barriers such as limited healthcare access, economic instability, and social exclusion, all of which contribute to widening health disparities. The “healthy migrant effect” often declines as migrants face limited medical resources, reintegration difficulties, and weakened social support networks, which heighten the risk of mental health issues such as depression and PTSD. Moreover, food insecurity, poor living conditions, and exposure to violence further exacerbate physical and mental health vulnerabilities. Forced return migration magnifies these risks, leading to the marginalization of returnees both socially and economically. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated, equity-focused migration policies that integrate public health, legal, and social support systems. Sustainable, rights-based approaches are essential to promoting the long-term wellbeing of migrants and achieving broader public health goals.
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spelling doaj-art-80e9f72ef5c2442eae62f045dc607ffa2025-08-20T02:28:46ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-04-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.15770181577018The public health consequences of mandatory return migration: a call for actionJuan S. Izquierdo-Condoy0José Pablo Salazar-Aguilar1Jorge Vasconez-Gonzalez2Esteban Ortiz-Prado3One Health Research Group, Universidad de las Américas, Quito, EcuadorEscuela de Comunicación Colectiva, Universidad Latina de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa RicaOne Health Research Group, Universidad de las Américas, Quito, EcuadorOne Health Research Group, Universidad de las Américas, Quito, EcuadorMigration has long shaped human societies, often generating complex social and political dynamics. In the United States, migration from Latin America represents a significant proportion of inflows, but increasingly restrictive policies have intensified hardships for migrants. Returning migrants frequently encounter systemic barriers such as limited healthcare access, economic instability, and social exclusion, all of which contribute to widening health disparities. The “healthy migrant effect” often declines as migrants face limited medical resources, reintegration difficulties, and weakened social support networks, which heighten the risk of mental health issues such as depression and PTSD. Moreover, food insecurity, poor living conditions, and exposure to violence further exacerbate physical and mental health vulnerabilities. Forced return migration magnifies these risks, leading to the marginalization of returnees both socially and economically. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated, equity-focused migration policies that integrate public health, legal, and social support systems. Sustainable, rights-based approaches are essential to promoting the long-term wellbeing of migrants and achieving broader public health goals.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1577018/fullreturn migrationpublic healthhealth disparitiesreintegrationmigration policy
spellingShingle Juan S. Izquierdo-Condoy
José Pablo Salazar-Aguilar
Jorge Vasconez-Gonzalez
Esteban Ortiz-Prado
The public health consequences of mandatory return migration: a call for action
Frontiers in Public Health
return migration
public health
health disparities
reintegration
migration policy
title The public health consequences of mandatory return migration: a call for action
title_full The public health consequences of mandatory return migration: a call for action
title_fullStr The public health consequences of mandatory return migration: a call for action
title_full_unstemmed The public health consequences of mandatory return migration: a call for action
title_short The public health consequences of mandatory return migration: a call for action
title_sort public health consequences of mandatory return migration a call for action
topic return migration
public health
health disparities
reintegration
migration policy
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1577018/full
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