Paper short abstract:

Based on recent fieldwork, this paper explores how the new Argentinean migratory law of Dec. 2003 has impacted the experiences of intra-regional migrants who have been historically despised in this country. Has their renewed "legal" status in Argentina as nationals of the MERCOSUR changed anything?

Paper long abstract:

In response to both the deepening of an initiative of regional integration in South America (MERCOSUR) and the evolution of international conventions on human rights, Argentina passed a new migratory law in December 2003. This Ley Migratoria 25.871 not only considers migrating a human right but also grants nationals of MERCOSUR states the same rights as those granted to Argentineans.

How has this new, favourable legal environment affected the lives of intra-regional migrants who have been historically despised in Argentina? Notably, Peruvians, Bolivians and Paraguayans were criminalized during the 1990s, being constructed as "illegal aliens", and blamed for the economic, social and political problems that the country was going through.

Based on recent fieldwork conducted in La Plata city, my paper explores how this renewed "legal status" as nationals of the MERCOSUR in Argentina has impacted the experiences of the Peruvians, Bolivians and Paraguayans in the city. Has anything changed?