FSH News, 2nd floor theater - Sharia and Law Faculty held a hybrid public lecture activity on May 14, 2025. With the speaker Agniezka Olter from Castello and the moderator of the Head of the Law study program, Mrs. Fitria, S.H., M.R.,Ph.D. Also attended by the Dean of FSH UIN Jakarta Prof. Dr. Muhammad Maksum, S.H., M.A., MDC.

Since 2015, more than 7.8 million Venezuelans have left their homeland due to the endless political, economic, and social crisis. Of these, around 1,66 million chose Peru as a place to find new hope, making this country the second largest destination after Colombia in accepting Venezuelan refugees. In the capital city of Lima alone, more than 1.1 million Venezuelan migrants are now living, facing the harsh reality of life in the new country.

According to data from Andres Bello University (2020), the majority of refugees live in extreme poverty, with limited access to decent jobs, adequate nutrition, and basic services. Meanwhile, a report from the National Institute of Statistics and Information (2022) revealed that 35% of migrants do not have a valid legal status, and only 3% have successfully admitted their professional qualifications from Venezuela. This worsens their integration process in Peruvian society.

The open residence permit policy that was once implemented by President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski has now ended, making it difficult for thousands of migrants to access legal documents. In addition, more than 80% work without a formal contract, often facing discrimination and low wages. Not only that, 95% of refugees rent a place to live without an official contract, most of them live in densely populated areas with unsuitable environmental conditions.

In terms of health, the situation is also concerning. Only 27% of migrants have insurance, while the rest rely on auto-medication or assistance from civil society organizations. Discrimination in the housing and labor sectors further strengthens their marginalization.

Despite being overwhelmed by various challenges, many Venezuelan refugees have shown resilience. They survive by working in the informal sector, building micro businesses, and strengthening solidarity networks among migrant communities. Support from international organizations such as UNHCR, IOM, and UNICEF also plays an important role in providing basic services, skill training, and legal assistance and documentation.

However, the change in attitude began to be seen. If in 2018 as many as 93.8% of migrants wanted to live permanently in Peru, now only 75.3% still hold the same expectations. Many of them began to consider returning to Venezuela or seeking opportunities in other countries. This change reflects how heavy the reality of integration and expectations are slowly fading.

Venezuela's migration crisis is not just a matter of numbers, but a story about human struggle, hope, and resilience in the face of uncertainty. For Peru and other recipient countries, the challenge ahead is to create an inclusive and humane policy so that this exodus does not become a prolonged crisis for the next generation.[NA]