US ends participation in UN’s global compact on migration News
US ends participation in UN’s global compact on migration

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson [official profile] on Sunday informed [statement] the UN of the US’ withdrawal from participation in the UN process to develop a Global Compact on Migration (GCM) [official website]

The GCM is the first, intergovernmentally negotiated agreement “to cover all dimensions of international migration in a holistic and comprehensive manner.”

Tillerson’s decision to withdraw cites “inconsistent” policy goals between the US and the GCM, as the GCM negotiation process will be based on the New York Declaration [text,PDF], a non-binding document adopted by the UN in 2016, which lists strict commitments that emphasize refugee and migrant assistance and immersion, specifically ensuring education and jobs.

In regards to both the GCM and New York Declaration, Tillerson stated:

While we will continue to engage on a number of fronts at the United Nations, in this case, we simply cannot in good faith support a process that could undermine the sovereign right of the United States to enforce our immigration laws and secure our borders.

This decision is consistent with the Trump administration’s immigration platform, and states that it is the “primary responsibility of sovereign states to help ensure that migration is safe, orderly, and legal.”

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