ABSTRACT
Based on a comparative analysis of immigration policy in Buenos Aires (Argentina), São Paulo (Brazil) and Mexico City (Mexico), from the 1980s to early 2017, this chapter argues that multilevel convergence toward a human rights approach to immigration can be generated by (1) democratisation and pro-immigrant civic activism and (2) the promotion of immigrants’ rights by international organisations. Democratisation allows pro-immigrant civic organisations to pressure local and national governments for the adoption of policies that expand immigrants’ rights. International organisations provide advice and technical capacity for local and national governments to protect immigrants’ rights.
