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First members of migrant caravan arrive and climb border wall

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‘Historic moment’ for people on the move, as UN agrees first-ever Global Compact on migration

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‘Historic moment’ for people on the move, as UN agrees first-ever Global Compact on migration

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July 13, 2018

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After more than a year of discussions and consultations among Member States, local officials, civil society and migrants themselves, the text of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration was finalized on Friday.

In a statement, Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the agreement, calling it "a significant achievement." He said it reflected "the shared understanding by Governments that cross-border migration is, by its very nature, an international phenomenon and that effective management of this global reality requires international cooperation to enhance its positive impact for all. It also recognizes that every individual has the right to safety, dignity and protection."

"This comprehensive framework comprises a range of objectives, actions and avenues for implementation, follow-up and review," added the UN chief, "all aimed at facilitating safe, orderly and regular migration, while reducing the incidence and impact of irregular migration."

Calling today a " historic moment, " General Assembly President Miroslav Lajčák, spelled out the Compact's enormous potential.

"It does not encourage migration, nor does it aim to stop it. It is not legally binding. It does not dictate. It will not impose. And it fully respects the sovereignty of States," he stressed.

Instead, he continued: "It can guide us from a reactive to a proactive mode. It can help us to draw out the benefits of migration, and mitigate the risks. It can provide a new platform for cooperation. And it can be a resource, in finding the right balance between the rights of people and the sovereignty of States."

"And, in December," Mr. Lajčák added "it will formally become the first comprehensive framework on migration the world has ever seen."

Also taking the floor, Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, drew attention to the profound issues that migration raises, such as sovereignty and human rights; around what constitutes voluntary movement; the relationship between development and mobility; and how to support social cohesion.

"This compact demonstrates the potential of multilateralism: our ability to come together on issues that demand global collaboration - however complicated and contentious they may be," she pointed out.

Louise Arbour, Special Representative for International Migration, asserted that as human mobility will always be with us, "its chaotic, dangerous exploitative aspects cannot be allowed to become a new normal."

"The implementation of the Compact will bring safety, order and economic progress to everyone's benefit," she underscored.

The agreement will be formally adopted by Member States at an Intergovernmental Conference, which will be held in Marrakesh, Morocco, on 10 and 11 December. Ms. Arbour will serve as the Conference's Secretary-General.

"This is not the end of the undertaking but the beginning of a new historic effort to shape the global agenda on migration for decades to come," Director General of the UN migration agency, IOM, William Lacy Swing said on Friday.

"Throughout the process, UN Member States have clearly recognized that migration is always about people. The migrant-centred approach adopted with the commendable guidance of co-facilitators from Mexico and Switzerland, and of the Special Representative to the Secretary General on International Migration, is unprecedented," added the IOM chief.

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'Historic moment' for people on the move, as UN agrees first-ever Global Compact on migration

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After more than a year of discussions and consultations among Member States, local officials, civil society and migrants themselves, the text of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration was finalized on Friday. In a statement, Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the agreement, calling it "a significant achievement."

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ICE arrests more than 100 workers in immigration raid in Ohio

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Sorting Through The Complicated Issue Of Immigration

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Sorting Through The Complicated Issue Of Immigration

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Gordon Evans, Jan 6 2019

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Western Michigan University Economics Professor Susan Pozo says she admires immigrants. Her dedication in a new book on the economic impact of immigration says "in honor of your many achievements and in sympathy for the sacrifices that come from leaving your home to offer your talents in a new country." Pozo is the editor of The Human and Economic Implications of 21st Century Immigration Policy.

The book, published by the Upjohn Institute for Employment Research is a compilation of presentations by economists at Western Michigan University during the 2016-17 academic year as part of the Economics Department's Werner Sichel lecture series.

In an interview for WMUK's WestSouthwest podcast, Pozo says immigration has been an issue before. She organized a speaker series about immigration early in her career at Western during the 1980's. But Pozo says the difference in the tone of the debate then and now is "night and day." Pozo says there was "real economic discourse" in the 80's. She says there is serious economic research now, "but it just doesn't get the play that it got back then."

Pozo says despite the heated debate, immigration from Mexico has declined. She says many factors contributed to that, including the recession in 2008 and 09, greater prosperity in Mexico and demographic changes. Pozo says greater emphasis on deportation and enforcement has also slowed migration from Mexico. She says tighter border security has cut down on "circular migration." Pozo says that means people who come to the United States become more entrenched.

Pozo says that economists have ways of getting information about undocumented immigrants. She says it's not perfect, but methods have improved. Pozo says "traces are left on the economy", and economists can find those traces.

Asked about those hurt economically hurt by immigration, Pozo says some people are going to be worse off. She says the overall U.S. economy benefits from immigration and international trade. She says those benefits should be collected and dispersed to help people harmed by economic changes.

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Sorting Through The Complicated Issue Of Immigration

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Western Michigan University Economics Professor Susan Pozo says she admires immigrants. Her dedication in a new book on the economic impact of immigration says "in honor of your many achievements and in sympathy for the sacrifices that come from leaving your home to offer your talents in a new country."

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Wall won't solve immigration issues -- Tim Leung

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Wall won't solve immigration issues -- Tim Leung

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Jan 17 2019

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Border security is very important, but we already have miles and miles of fencing along the border.

A large border wall (which Mexico was supposed to pay for) will only stop a very small subset of the people who aren't stopped by a fence. It's a 13th century solution to a 21st century problem. It is ridiculous our president won't agree to fund the rest of the federal government for this highly ineffective solution at border security.

Congress must make sure American tax dollars are redirected toward actual border security, such as on-the-ground agents, drones and humanitarian aid for migrants. While drugs are a big issue, that can be mitigated with decriminalization. And illegal immigrants can be slowed by enforcing employment laws on employers.

The existing demand for jobs is what is driving illegal immigration. We need to force our own American employers to comply, either by fining them, or forcing them to sponsor workers to come here.

Tim Leung, Fitchburg

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Wall won't solve immigration issues -- Tim Leung

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Border security is very important, but we already have miles and miles of fencing along the border. A large border wall (which Mexico was supposed to pay for) will only stop a very small subset of the people who aren't stopped by a fence. It's a 13th century solution to a 21st century problem.