E.g., 07/23/2026
E.g., 07/23/2026
María Jesús Mora
Experts & Staff
Photo of María Jesús Mora

María Jesús Mora

Associate Policy Analyst

@Mariamoravar

María Jesús Mora is an Associate Policy Analyst with the Latin America and Caribbean Initiative at MPI. Her research includes migration patterns within Latin America, migration governance, and integration.

She is particularly focused on responses to Nicaraguan and Venezuelan migration in Costa Rica and South America, respectively. Previously, she was a consultant at MPI and interned for The Nation, North American Congress on Latin America, Red de Pueblos Transnacionales, and the National Council to Prevent Discrimination in Mexico.

Ms. Mora holds an undergraduate degree in sociology and history from New York University, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa.

Bio Page Tabs

Cover image for Rebuilding Lives in Guatemala
Reports
June 2026
By  Ariel G. Ruiz Soto, María Jesús Mora and Diego Chaves-González
Cover image for Reconstruyendo vidas en Guatemala
Reports
June 2026
By  Ariel G. Ruiz Soto, María Jesús Mora and Diego Chaves-González
Cover image for Creating Inclusive Urban Economies for Migrants and Refugees
Reports
May 2026
By  Kate Hooper, María Jesús Mora, Abigail Goldfarb and Natalia Banulescu-Bogdan
Cover image for Consideraciones clave para futuros programas de protección temporal...
Reports
June 2025
By  Diego Chaves-González, María Jesús Mora, Ana Alanis and Natalia Banulescu-Bogdan
Cover image for Key Considerations for Future Temporary Protection and Regularization Programs...
Reports
June 2025
By  Diego Chaves-González, María Jesús Mora, Ana Alanis and Natalia Banulescu-Bogdan
Cover image for Building on Regular Pathways to Address Migration Pressures in the Americas
Reports
June 2024
By  María Jesús Mora, Ariel G. Ruiz Soto and Andrew Selee
Cover image for Construyendo vías regulares para abordar presiones migratorias...
Reports
June 2024
By  María Jesús Mora, Ariel G. Ruiz Soto and Andrew Selee
Cover image for Temporary Worker Programs in Canada, Mexico, and Costa Rica
Reports
June 2022
By  Cristobal Ramón, Ariel G. Ruiz Soto, María Jesús Mora and Ana Martín Gil

Pages

Venezuelans crossing into Colombia.

While most Colombians say the influx of migrants from Venezuela over the past decade harms their country, this opinion does not necessarily lead to support for more immigration restrictions. As this article shows, attitudes are more nuanced, and many Colombians blame the government and employers for perceived harms resulting from immigration, rather than immigrants themselves.

Venezuelan migrants at the Colombian border.

Political and economic crises, new free-movement arrangements, and other trends are transforming countries across Latin America and the Caribbean, a region once known primarily for its emigration. The number of immigrants living in the region has nearly doubled since 2010, an incredible change in a short period of time. This article makes sense of a profound transition underway in the Western Hemisphere.

Migrantes venezolanos en la frontera colombiana.

Los países de América Latina y el Caribe están siendo transformados por crisis políticas y económicas, nuevos acuerdos de libre circulación y otras tendencias. La cantidad de inmigrantes que viven en la región casi se ha duplicado desde 2010, un cambio increíble en un corto período de tiempo. Este artículo da sentido a una profunda transición en curso en el hemisferio occidental.

Merchants sell items on a busy street in San José, Costa Rica.

Tens of thousands of Nicaraguans have fled their country since 2018, amid repression and a renewed government crackdown. In neighboring Costa Rica, many migrants have encountered a robust system for protection and integration, yet they still face stigma and discrimination in their daily lives. This article explores this dynamic along one of Central America's most important migratory routes.

A Guatemalan man reflects on his migration to and back from the United States
Short Reads
April 2025
By  María Jesús Mora and Ariel G. Ruiz Soto
Un hombre guatemalteco reflexiona sobre su migración hacia y desde Estados Unidos.
Short Reads
April 2025
By  María Jesús Mora and Ariel G. Ruiz Soto
Video, Audio
June 25, 2025

This conversation explores emerging models, policy shifts, and lessons learned from the European and Latin American approaches to reintegration and support for returning migrants. 

Recent Activity

Reports
June 2026

El perfil de los migrantes guatemaltecos que están siendo forzados a retornar a Guatemala ha mostrado señales de cambio. Con frecuencia los migrantes retornados han permanecido fuera del país por períodos más prolongados y han establecido raíces en el extranjero. Este informe analiza las oportunidades para fortalecer los servicios de reintegración, dadas las características cambiantes de los migrantes retornados.

Reports
June 2026

The profile of Guatemalans forcibly returned to Guatemala is shifting, with returnees often having been outside of the country for longer periods and establishing roots abroad. This report examines opportunities to strengthen reintegration services, given the changing characteristics of returnees.

Reports
May 2026

Migrants and refugees make up notable shares of the workforce in many cities. By creating an environment in which they can find work, apply their skills, and thrive, urban areas can set themselves up to weather current and future economic changes, including the green and digital transitions. Drawing on a scan of city practices on four continents, this report examines the experiences and policy approaches of cities around the world.

Video, Audio, Webinars
June 25, 2025

This conversation explores emerging models, policy shifts, and lessons learned from the European and Latin American approaches to reintegration and support for returning migrants. 

Reports
June 2025

Los países latinoamericanos han respondido a la migración de Venezuela y otros países con diversas medidas de protección temporal y regularización. A medida que los países desarrollan enfoques de segunda generación, es necesario equilibrar la flexibilidad y la coherencia. Este informe compara los elementos clave del diseño de las políticas de protección temporal y regularización dentro y fuera de la región, destacando lecciones para los responsables de las políticas públicas en América Latina.

Reports
June 2025

Latin American countries have responded to migration from Venezuela and beyond with a range of temporary protection and regularization measures. Amid protracted displacement, countries need to develop second-generation approaches that balance flexibility and consistency. This report compares key design elements of protection and regularization policies in countries in and beyond the region, highlighting lessons.

Articles

While most Colombians say the influx of migrants from Venezuela over the past decade harms their country, this opinion does not necessarily lead to support for more immigration restrictions. As this article shows, attitudes are more nuanced, and many Colombians blame the government and employers for perceived harms resulting from immigration, rather than immigrants themselves.

Short Reads
April 2025

A medida que el gobierno estadounidense busca intensificar las deportaciones, se debe poner mayor enfoque a la recepción y reintegración de los retornados a México y Centroamérica. A pesar de modestos mejoramientos, los programas de recepción y reintegración en estos países han sido en gran medida ineficaces para aliviar las condiciones a largo plazo de los retornados, de hecho, a menudo son las mismas que motivaron su migración original.

Pages