Migration Governance: Human Rights or Security? The Case of Chile

Given the arrival of migrants through unauthorized crossings in northern Chile since 2019, both government and international organizations have only responded via emergency criteria, therefore causing strong reactions by media and academia, mainly from social sciences. This text aims to combine analytical perspectives towards the understanding of a complex situation, such as migration. We have articulated an architectural point of view with an anthropological approach to examine the temporary camps installed on the northern Chilean border, particularly in Colchane and Lobitos. Starting from a contextualization of the situation in the Latin American region, the article gives way to the Chilean case and its government’s actions in response to the increase of migrant entries through the northern border. This allows us to assess the set-up infrastructure in terms of habitability, permanence, and social inclusion.