In a statement marking International Migrants’ Day on December 18, Secretary of State Antony Blinken recalled that today hundreds of millions of people around the world live outside their countries. The foreign minister called on states around the world to expand legal migration routes, protect vulnerable migrants, pursue inclusive policies and take measures to make migration processes safe, orderly and humane.
Blinken’s statement released by the State Department on Monday underscored the U.S. commitment to leading these efforts globally.
The State Department chief said the United States is playing a leading role in the largest expansion of legal migration routes in decades to help vulnerable migrants, refugees and other displaced people.
“We welcome the efforts of other countries that are also expanding legal routes (of migration), creating safe options for migrants while respecting national sovereignty and security,” he said.
The Secretary noted that since the launch of the Safe Mobility initiative in June 2023, tens of thousands of people have benefited from fast track status and support services.
“We have resettled more refugees than any other country in the world, hosting more than 3.5 million refugees in communities across the country since 1975,” Blinken said. “Immigrants make enormous social and economic contributions that contribute to our nation’s competitiveness and innovation on the global stage.”
“Globally, we are the largest provider of humanitarian assistance to those in need, including refugees, victims of conflict, internally displaced people, stateless people and vulnerable migrants,” the State Department chief said in a statement. – In fiscal year 2023, the United States provided nearly $15 billion in life-saving humanitarian assistance. Together with our partners, we are working to create a future in which migration is safe, regular, voluntary and informed.”
