Abstract

GISSI, Nicolás  and  AGUILAR, Hedilberto. Between Fear and Xenophobia: Immigration Policy, Social Vulnerability and the Emergence of a Penal State in Chile (2018-2023). Rev. pueblos front. digit. [online]. 2023, vol.18, e680.  Epub Dec 08, 2023. ISSN 1870-4115.  https://doi.org/10.22201/cimsur.18704115e.2023.v18.680.

Through the analysis of the fears of Chilean society associated with public safety and crime, the purpose of this article is to contribute to the generation of knowledge and the public discussion regarding the recent conduct of the Chilean State around an emerging penal State that seems to be aimed at punishing immigration from Latin America and the Caribbean, particularly Venezuelan, Haitian and Colombian, due to the political, social and media pressure that criminalizes migrants in an irregular condition. For this, we observe the performance of the State -led by a center-left government during the last year and a half-, along with the most representative social events in the mass media, regarding migration and crime, as well as around the Chilean population at social risk, in the context of the increase in xenophobia and a new immigration law and policy, which appear rather close to a securitist model.

Keywords : migrants; xenophobia; immigration policy; vulnerability; penal State.