Xenophobia on the rise in Chile, says survey

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – A survey by Criteria Research consulting firm, comparing results for February 2021 with a 2019 survey, shows that currently only a quarter of the population agrees with the entry of migrants into the country.

The study shows an increase in the rejection of foreigners’ entry, since in February 2019, 37% of respondents either approved or strongly approved of their entry, but now this figure stands at only 25%.

Moreover, the survey comparison shows that respondents who thought that immigrants could contribute to the country dropped from 43% to 30%.

There was also a percentage point increase in those who believe that crime in the country is increasing as a result of the influx of migrants, and a 3% increase in respondents who fear to be robbed by migrants.

However, the survey’s authors note that there was no increase in the perception that immigrants are a threat in terms of displacing nationals from employment, and even the number of respondents who believe that it will be more difficult to find a job decreased by 5%.

Likewise, there was no change in the opinion that the influx of foreigners could lead to the collapse of services such as healthcare, despite the fact that about half of respondents believe this to be the case.

Analysts consider that this increase in the negative perception of migrants is the result of the recent crisis in the north of the country after the arrival of hundreds of undocumented immigrants.

They also point out that the government’s media display of pictures of the expulsion of foreigners dressed in white overalls and guarded by police officers as if they were criminals also had an influence, which increased citizens’ rejection and decreased their approval of the migratory phenomenon.