Social and narrative representations of human mobility: human rights and non-criminalization in Latin America

Abstract

This article examines social representations related to human mobility in Mexico and Latin America, analyzing their role in legitimizing structural inequalities and constructing dehumanizing migration narratives. From an interdisciplinary perspective, grounded in Serge Moscovici’s social psychology and the critical theories of Pierre Bourdieu, Stuart Hall, and David Campbell, this study explores how these representations shape collective imaginaries that reinforce marginalization processes and justify restrictive public policies.The analysis highlights that dominant narratives associate migrants with social and economic threats, contributing to the dispossession of agency and dignity while reinforcing structural inequalities. These representations consolidate power hierarchies and symbolic violence, making the structural causes of migration—such as economic precariousness, environmental degradation, and armed conflicts—invisible. By examining specific cases related to border militarization and the dismantling of migrant caravans, this research demonstrates the impact of these discourses on the formulation of policies that prioritize control over human rights.The proposed approach seeks to redefine these narratives by focusing on empathy and dignity, emphasizing integrative measures similar to those implemented in Canada, which have transformed collective imaginaries and fostered social cohesion. Furthermore, this study explores the connection between academic and political debates on human mobility, providing theoretical and practical tools to redesign public actions that ensure justice and integration.