Reevaluating the role of information in transit migration: the case of Central American migrants crossing Mexico

Abstract

Abstract The idea that information campaigns can stop migrants from engaging in troublesome journeys has been criticized in recent years on the basis that migrants are aware of the risks of their travel. This article intervenes in the discussion on the relevance of information by arguing for a more nuanced view that looks at what information migrants have, how they understand risks, and what types of information are relevant to the journey itself. This argument is illustrated with the case of high-risk transit migration from Central America through Mexico toward the USA, drawing on data from 60 interviews with migrants collected during 2017–18, a period during which transit migration came with extreme risks and a low chance of success. Our findings show that while most migrants are indeed aware that migration involves risks, they often do not understand (or believe) the exact dimensions of these risks, nor are they well informed on the journey as a whole. Besides the decision to depart or not, access to information is shown to be relevant in various aspects of migration.