1. Migration Integration in Panama Legal System

2. Traditional Migration Policy Three main governmental migration policies were openness, restrictions to migration, and a combination of customs and police control regarding intraregional migration.

3. Evolution A fundamental issue is that Panama, as a nation has been characterized throughout its history by a marked tolerance and acceptance of foreigners by Panamanians. In other words, Panama is not a xenophobic society.

4. Transition After the RCM Regional Consultation Process, there has been a process of change in the vision and handling of the migration problem. In the case of Panama, this has had a positive impact on our legislation by modifying old paradigms. There is more communication among the States about the practices implemented.

5. RCM In addition to the regulations at the national level and the bilateral and regional agreements, there is a set of international conventions that frame this issue, basically from a human-rights approach: ethnic group, family, work, safety, gender, age, nationality, and others. This set of regulations underlies the specific process for institutionalizing the migration policy of integration agreed on within the framework of the RCM.

6. Political Constitution TITLE II NATIONALITY AND ALIENNESS TITLE III POLITICAL AND CIVIL RIGHTS

7. LAWS AND DECREES Law N° 7 Development of Article 12 of the Constitution (March 14, 1980) Decree N° 59 Bylaws of Article 7 of Law N° 7 of 1980 (August 4, 1988) Decree N° 16 on Migration (June 30, 1960, currently being reformed)

8. Deficiencies in the System The migration right has not yet been coded. There are several laws and many bylaws about this matter, which regulate agricultural migrants, reforestation, tourism, scientific research, and other types of investment that the government wants to encourage. Some laws allow for permanent residency after one year, while other laws require the renewal of the temporary visa.

9. Visa Types Authorized | Tourist | Transient Travelers | Immigrants | Temporary Visitors | Letter of Naturalization

10. Conclusions The quality of people’s mobility among the States will only vary as long as improvements are made in the institutionalization of integration. Panama is a country with a long tradition of openness. There has been significant progress in the harmonization of the migration regulations regarding integration and human rights. The new regulations reflect the process toward the institutionalization of integration.