Selectivity in Migration Governance in the South American Mercosur: Selecting-by-Origin, Selecting-by-Merit, or Not Selecting at All?

Literature on immigration policies has observed a shift from selecting migrants based on origin to skill-based selection across the globe. Based on an interpretive analysis of stakeholder interviews, legislation and policy documents, this article argues that selectivity in migration governance is developing differently in Mercosur: in the rights-focused political context of South America, no progression from selection-by-origin to selection-by-merit can be observed. Skill-based selection is considered illegitimate and scarce, while selection based on origin persists with nationality as a central administrative selection category. In addition, the general migrant - refugee divide, elsewhere decisive for selective policies, becomes blurred.