Aunque les cueste la vida/ Even if it will cost them their life : A study of irregular migration between Guatemala and the United States of America and the effects it has on the Maya communities

Sammanfattning: Today, many Guatemalans flee the country and leave their home communities behind due to poor living conditions and high unemployment. Irregular migration involves many risks yet is for many seen as a necessity to live a purposeful life. Since attempts to improve these circumstances often is based on Westernized ideals and experiences, this study aims to portray the needs and attitudes from Maya communities in the Sololá region, Guatemala. To achieve this aim, twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted, one with representatives from the international organization for migration (IOM), 4 with mayors in the region and 7 with 8 Maya women who live in these communities. The study was carried out in collaboration with the nongovernmental organisation Natün who are active in the area, working to improve the Maya community's situation. By using the neoclassical theory, the new economics of labour migration and decolonial theory the experiences of the respondents were analysed. The results show that there is a broad spectrum of causes regarding why people feel the need to leave. Moreover, even though people have possibilities in Guatemala, they still search for a better life in the U.S. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and IOM´s purpose was analysed and compared to the actual needs of the community resulting in the conclusion that there is a risk these organization base their work on underlying motives such as stemming migration.