In a substantial push to manage the ongoing migration challenges in the Western Hemisphere, Guatemala played host to the third Los Angeles Declaration Ministerial, with the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the helm of the American delegation, according to a statement obtained by The White House. The gathering, which took place on May 7, saw foreign ministers and senior representatives from 21 countries come together to bolster efforts under the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection, which encompasses initiatives for tackling the root causes of migration, expanding lawful migration paths, and implementing humane border controls.
Secretary Blinken committed a further $578 million in assistance to partner nations and localities grappling with migration-related challenges and proclaimed an expansion of enforcement partnerships intended to discourage unlawful migration while cracking down on smuggling networks that exploit migrants, in need of humanitarian needs, expanding lawful pathways, and supporting regularization and integration of migrants, the U.S. also pledges continued work to sustain progress by establishing a regionally-run Secretariat as part of the Los Angeles Declaration. The myriad of new initiatives disclosed included visa restrictions on Colombian maritime transport executives, a biometric data-sharing alliance with Costa Rica, and an expanded reach of the CBP One™ mobile app for migrants, which since January last year, more than 547,000 individuals have utilized, choosing to present themselves at legal entry points.
On the legal migration front, the Biden Administration boasts a six-fold increase in approved refugees from the region via Safe Mobility Offices established in countries such as Guatemala, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Ecuador. Guatemala and the U.S. are broadening the criteria to include nationals from Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. Canada, for its part, is on track to accept 15,000 migrants from the Americas, reinforcing its commitment to international cooperation on migration and refugee resettlement. In keeping with this continued push for lawful migration channels, USAID plans to unveil "Alianza de Movilidad Laboral para las Américas," aimed at expanding legal labor migration opportunities, meanwhile, Mexico has issued over 17,500 temporary visas to individuals seeking international protection to address labor deficits within its borders; this runs in parallel with Colombia's special visa programs welcoming additional Latin American migrants.
The enduring challenge of addressing root causes that compel people to migrate was touched upon, with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation approving a $20 million loan to support low-income housing in Guatemala, and Ecuador unveiling a new regularization program for migrants to gain temporary residency. Such strides are imperative, for the roots of migration are deep and varied - economic strife, safety concerns, and the pursuit of stability compel a journey marked often by hardship and uncertainty. This suite of commitments, as presented by the endorsing countries of the Los Angeles Declaration, marks a significant collective effort to mold a humbler, yet more lawful and well-managed migration system in our hemisphere.
