NATURE OF MIGRATION POLITICS AND THE INFLUENCE OF THE ‘EVER-PRESENT’ CONTEXT

Abstract

The objective of this article is to offer an alternative for theoretical reflection on the political-philosophical nature of migration policies. The methodology consisted of a case study of the Ecuador-Spain migration process (1997-2014). The philosophicalpolitical nature of South-North migration policies is defined by highly contextual factors linked to power asymmetry between the States, both South-North and North-North, and by the prioritization of national security in the destination country. It was found that, even though the nature of migration policies does not fulfill claims from the micro level, the migrant and his family generate adjustment and adaptation strategies.