Evaluations of the impact of international migration on development must take into account the increasing complexity of international migration, the transnational nature of social relationships, the micro-level economic and social benefits of remittances, and the impact of migration on culture and social relationships. Such an approach is particularly relevant in the Caribbean, given the severe challenges to development in the region, and a wide array of mobility and settlement behaviors, including circulation, emigration, and 'visiting' patterns. In this paper, we argue that an evaluation of the migration-development relationship that takes into account these factors will yield strategic migration and development policies. International migration between Belize and the United States is used as a case study in this paper. We begin by outlining the material and social challenges to development facing Belizean people today. Second, we review contemporary Belizean migration patterns and existing policies and practices concerning migration and development. We conclude with suggestions for analyzing and developing policies that are sensitive to the complexities of contemporary Belizean migration.

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international migration migration determinant migrants remittance belize economic development