Former Migration Director Criticizes Idea of Reporting Irregular Migrants: 'People Will Hide'

The Chilean government's recent proposal to mandate that hospitals, schools, and other public institutions report undocumented migrants has ignited a firestorm of criticism, and rightly so. As former Director of the National Migration Service, Luis Eduardo Thayer, has articulated, this idea is not just misguided; it is fundamentally counterproductive and potentially harmful. The core issue here is the misguided focus on turning essential public service providers—teachers, healthcare professionals—into de facto immigration enforcement agents.

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It is so bad an idea that the Minister of Health herself has already dismissed it.

Thayer's critique cuts to the heart of the matter: this policy would divert attention from the actual priority—expelling criminals—and instead create a climate of fear and distrust. Imagine a teacher having to report a child's parents simply because they lack proper documentation. Or a nurse being forced to choose between providing care and reporting a patient. This is not only an unacceptable burden on these professionals but also a direct threat to public health and education. By creating an environment where migrants fear seeking necessary services, the state ironically loses valuable information about the very population it seeks to manage, driving them further underground.

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We cannot turn teachers or health officials into immigration police.

Furthermore, the notion that this policy will lead to mass deportations is, as Thayer points out, a "lack of political honesty." Chile's capacity and resources for mass deportations are limited. The government seems to be creating unrealistic expectations while implementing measures that will likely alienate vulnerable populations and strain public services. The focus should be on efficient, humane, and targeted expulsion processes for those who pose a genuine risk, not on a blanket policy that punishes entire communities and undermines the social fabric.

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This initiative could generate a public health problem, as many people would stop going to health centers. Or they might stop taking their children to schools for fear of being reported.

From our perspective in Chile, this proposal represents a significant step backward. It risks damaging the trust between citizens and public institutions, fostering a climate of xenophobia, and ultimately proving ineffective in achieving its stated goals. We believe that migration management requires nuanced policies that balance security concerns with human rights and public service accessibility. Turning our schools and hospitals into surveillance outposts is not the answer; it is a recipe for social division and a failure of compassionate governance.

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People are going to hide.