Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, December 6, 2017 – The Scalabrini International Migration Policy Director, Kevin Appleby, called upon UN member states to increase legal placements for undocumented migrants in the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration.  Appleby attended the UN “stocktaking” meeting on the Compact in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, December 4-6.

In his statement, Appleby argued that the Compact must set a target for increasing legal avenues for the world’s undocumented population through both regularization programs and an increase in visa numbers. 

Appleby suggested that member states increase their legal immigrant populations by at least 25 percent by 2030, in conjunction with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has estimated that 20-25 percent of the world’s migrant population is undocumented.

Increasing legal placements for undocumented migrants, Appleby argued, would protect them from unscrupulous smugglers and human traffickers.  He also added that a specific target to decrease the number of undocumented migrants in the world is “what the Compact needs” in order to make a difference on the ground.

Appleby also expressed concern with the US withdrawal from the Global Compact process, urging the US government to “re-engage” with the process.

The full statement can be found at: https://simn-global.org/anuncios/442/5a28458741645.pdf

About SIMN – SIMN is supporting more than 250 Scalabrinian centers, shelters and programs that are providing lodging, food, training and employment programs; psychological and religious services; protection to victims of human trafficking and support in the integration process to migrants, refugees and seafarers in five continents. In 2016, for example, Scalabrinian Centers has supported 120,738 migrants and refugees and 172,790 seafarers around the world. SIMN is also supporting a network of schools providing education, school supplies, and food, (possibly their only meal of the day) to thousands of needy children. In addition, SIMN is an accredited Non-Governmental Organization at the United Nations, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Organization of American States (OAS) and from this perspective is providing research and support for regional and global policies to protect and promote the dignity and the rights of migrants and their families.