U.S Retreat from Global Compact on Migration Harms American Interests

New York City— In response to reports that the Trump Administration has withdrawn the United States from the United Nations Global Compact on Migration, Human Rights First’s Eleanor Acer issued the following statement:

“This shortsighted move is yet another blow to U.S. leadership and will harm, rather than help, American interests including national security and global stability. Ambassador Haley’s claim that the compact somehow allows decisions relating to U.S. borders to be made by non-Americans reflects either a total lack of understanding of the global compact or a purposeful attempt to spread  misinformation. Clearly this is yet another instance in which decisions relating to global issues and U.S. national interests around the world are being driven by anti-immigrant and anti-refugee domestic policy ideologues.

“The bottom line is that the Trump Administration’s explanation for this decision—including the claim that the New York Declaration contains numerous provisions that are inconsistent with U.S. immigration and refugee policies and the Trump Administration’s immigration principles—is a recognition that President Trump’s immigration ‘principles’ and policies violate existing U.S. human rights and refugee protection treaty legal obligations. The Trump Administration is not above the rule of law, and the U.S. Constitution—a document written by Americans—makes clear that such treaties are the law of the land.”