Today, December 18, is International Migrants Day. The date celebrates the adoption of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families by the United Nations General Assembly in 1990.
The day offers a special opportunity to highlight the invaluable contributions of millions of migrants around the world. It is also a day to emphasize the increasingly complex landscape in which immigration exists today.
Today, immigration has become an integral part of society. Among the various reasons for this, poverty, war, internal conflict and insecurity, the adverse effects of climate change, the search for work and employment, globalization, and the rapid development of information and communication technology are believed to be significant factors.
According to the 2024 World Migration Report published by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), it is estimated that 281 million people are migrants worldwide. Among them, 169 million are migrant workers.
It is imperative that countries expand legal pathways, protect vulnerable migrants, promote inclusion, and advance policies and processes to foster safe, orderly, and humane migration.
The United States has led the largest expansion in decades of legal immigration pathways to assist vulnerable migrants, refugees, and other displaced individuals. The country has welcomed more refugees than any other country in the world, hosting over 3.5 million refugees in communities across the nation since 1975. Immigrants make tremendous social and economic contributions that drive the competitiveness and innovation of the United States on the global stage.
However, the growth of illegal immigration into the United States has sparked heated discussions on the topic, becoming one of the main issues in the recent presidential election campaign and one of the reasons that will bring Donald Trump and his promise of mass deportation back to the White House.5 Important Facts About Refugees
1. 1% of the global population is displaced
With conflicts becoming more complex, global displacement is on the rise.
2. 68% of all refugees come from just five countries
Syria has the largest number of refugees in the world, followed by Venezuela, Afghanistan, Sudan, and Myanmar.
3. Unexpected arrivals in Europe
The number of refugees heading to Europe has decreased significantly.
4. Approximately 95% of resettlement needs are unmet
Resettlement requirements are not being met by host states, increasing urgency on the issue.
5. 40% of refugees are children
It is estimated that 34 million children and youth have been displaced from their homes around the world.
Source: National Today