Chile's foreign ministry is cooperating with a prosecutor's investigation into the entry of Haitian minors under family reunification permits. Concerns arose after some children could not be located at their provided addresses, following a significant increase in arrivals from Haiti.
The investigation highlights potential vulnerabilities in Chile's immigration system and raises concerns about the welfare of migrant children, potentially impacting future migration policies and international relations.
SANTIAGO, June 19 (Reuters) - Chile's foreign ministry is cooperating with a prosecutor's investigation into the entry of Haitian minors under family reunification permits. Authorities initiated the probe after discovering that some of the children could not be located at the addresses provided for them.
The case has gained significant attention in Chile due to a sharp increase in arrivals from Haiti in early 2025, many of whom arrived on charter flights. This situation raises broader questions about the application of migration controls within a program designed to reunite families.
Chile's prosecutor's office announced this week that it had opened an investigation into the mass entry of Haitian children and teenagers last year. The foreign ministry stated it is providing all requested information and that Foreign Minister Francisco Perez has dispatched a team to Haiti to review procedures at Chile's consulate in the country.
Local media reported that approximately 2,800 Haitians entered Chile under family reunification between January 1 and April 30 of last year. This figure represents a substantial portion of the over 3,200 Haitian arrivals with temporary residence permits during that period. Reports also indicated that about half of those entering via family reunification did so on charter flights, reportedly linked to small Caribbean airlines.
Haitian migrants have been a significant presence in Chile for the past decade, forming one of the largest foreign communities in the South American nation. Entry rules have been tightened in recent years, and President Jose Antonio Kast, who took office in March, has committed to a crackdown on irregular migration.