Zacatecas Revisited: Transition from International Emigration to a Haven for Returnees and Transit Migrants - A Critical Analysis of the Absence of Public Policies and The Role of Pastoral Philanthropy in Welfare Provision

Abstract

The article critically analyzes Zacatecas's shift from an emigrant source to a hub for returnees and transit migrants, highlighting the lack of comprehensive public policies for their integration and support. Filling this gap, pastoral philanthropy, particularly through Casa del Migrante, plays a crucial role in aiding these groups despite resource limitations. Utilizing descriptive and qualitative methods, including interviews and documentary research, the study explores Zacatecas's historical emigration context, its transformation into a migrant-receiving area, state policy analysis concerning returnees, and Casa del Migrante's welfare role. It underscores Zacatecas's dependency on remittances and the economic difficulties returnees face, critiquing the government's inadequate response to migrant needs. The article concludes by advocating for a holistic institutional framework that encompasses economic development, migration, and human rights, while acknowledging the vital contributions of civil society and religious organizations in assisting migrants.