Creating reasons to stay? Unaccompanied youth migration, community-based programs, and the power of “push” factors in El Salvador

An emerging literature explores the experiences of Central American unaccompanied youth en route to the US border and a growing number of studies examine what happens once they arrive. However, we know less about their pre-migration context or the effectiveness of in-country youth development programs thought to deter them from migrating. We address this gap by drawing on survey data gathered from young people in El Salvador who participate in Youth Outreach Centers (n = 445). These Centers are local community-based entities that provide youth services in precarious neighborhoods across El Salvador. The majority of respondents reported feeling unsafe where they live, and 61% reported that at least one murder occurred in their neighborhood in the previous year. Amidst these neighborhood conditions, many respondents report that participating in the Centers had a positive impact on key developmental outcomes, academic performance, and employment. However, 42% reported that they still intend to migrate within the next three years, and younger respondents are significantly more likely to have these intentions. Their intentions to migrate are positively associated with risky behavior, and are unaffected by the quality of their experience in the Centers. These findings confirm the importance of investing in youth development programs in Central America, but they also attest to the potency of ‘push’ factors prompting youth migration, particularly from violent neighborhoods.