Abstract

This article analyzes the coexistence and relationship between two approaches that the State has maintained towards the migrant population in Chile during the current COVID-19 pandemic. The first one arises from the universal Human Rights approach that has guided the advances in the access to the health system for the migrant population. The second one, arises from an exclusionary approach developed by the national security perspective, with a strong focus on the control of irregular migration. At a first glance, both approaches may seem opposite, but the truth is that they have been applied simultaneously, although with variations in intensity according to the political context. Based on previous work carried out by the researchers, we will analyze how both approaches have impacted the Venezuelan population in the country. We will focus on the Venezuelan case since today it represents 30% of the foreign population and because it has been one of the focuses of the measures implemented by the government in the last year.