Obama’s 21st Century International Migration Policy

The Obama State Department official responsible for admitting third-world refugees into the U.S. has delivered his boss’s International Migration Policy for the 21^st Century and it largely focuses on “human rights diplomacy,” protecting “vulnerable migrants” and a “common sense” immigration reform.

The administration will also focus on “respecting the dignity and well-being of people on the move” and addressing the perception among citizens that “immigrants threaten their economic well-being,” according to Eric P. Schwartz, Obama’s Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration.

Schwartz, who believes that “humanitarian issues should be at the center of decision-making on critical policy issues,” revealed the predictable agenda as he prepared to represent the U.S. at an annual United Nations powwow (Global Forum on Migration and Development) to address migration. This year’s meeting is taking place this week in Puerto Vallarta Mexico and Schwartz wants the world to know that his boss appreciates the contributions that immigrants have made to the U.S. over the years.

“President Obama has said that the steady stream of hardworking and talented people who have immigrated to the United States over the years has made the United States the engine of the global economy and a beacon of hope around the world,” Schwartz said in his delivery. The former Clinton Administration official stressed that migration has played—and continues to play—a critical role in our national experience.

After citing a number of positive statistics on the “important contributions” that immigrants have made to the U.S. economy over the years, Schwartz stressed Obama’s commitment to comprehensive immigration reform, which he has coined “common sense reform.” The assistant secretary also made clear that the president opposes local laws, like  Arizona’s, to curb illegal immigration.

After all, Schwartz claims, immigration has helped the U.S. avoid many of the “very troubling demographic trends that bedevil” other industrialized countries less hospitable to immigrants. How? “New entrants” and their families play a critical role in helping the country sustain its capacity to maintain social programs as birth rates decline with an aging population and the revenue streams shrink.

Schwartz conveniently omitted that U.S. taxpayers annually spend hundreds of millions of dollars to medically treat, educate and incarcerate illegal immigrants. Never the less, he assures the international community that, even if Congress doesn’t pass legislation to legalize millions of undocumented immigrants in the U.S., the Obama Administration’s message remains clear: The United States has greatly benefited from migration and the country must protect the rights of all migrants.