Abstract: The 2020 World Migration Report by the International Organization for Migration recognized that Colombia has accepted more Venezuelan migrants than any other nation in Latin America. Additionally, a December 2019 article by The Brookings Institution identified Venezuela's migratory crisis as the second largest in the world, trailing only the Syrian refugee crisis. The sheer size of Venezuela's migration crisis is affecting all neighboring countries on economic, political, and humanitarian fronts. Despite Colombia's delicate socioeconomic landscape and struggle to care for its own citizens, it has welcomed Venezuelans, in particular, with open arms. However, in other countries that neighbor Venezuela, like Peru and Ecuador, the response to this immigration has varied significantly. Some countries have all but closed their borders, showing signs of fear and xenophobia. This research found that stronger historical ties between two nations enable a more welcoming reception of the sending country's migrants. When two nations have not interacted much, however, the solidarity toward immigrants fades faster. Ultimately, understanding the influential factors can help shape policy, debunk misconceptions about immigrants, and better equip governments to handle large influxes of people. ; Major, United States Air Force ; Approved for public release. distribution is unlimited
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