"Human mobility has been an inherent human condition throughout the history of humanity. From earliest human history, people have migrated in search of a better life, to populate other places on the planet, or to escape and survive human-made or natural dangers. Although human mobility has been a constant throughout all periods of human history, it was the creation of the nation-state –which can be traced to the Treaties of Westphalia of 1648- that introduced the phenomenon now known as international migration. The reorganization of the international community into a set of territorial states with established geographic boundaries enabled states to exercise authority over persons who settled within their borders and those attempting to cross them [...]". 

See complete report

• Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Human rights of migrants, refugees, stateless persons, victims of human trafficking and internally displaced persons: norms and standards of the Inter-American human rights system, OEA/Ser.L/V/II.