Trump Withdraws U.S. from Global Forum on Migration and Development
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to officially pull the United States out of the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD). This action marks a departure from the international organization linked to the United Nations’ Global Compact on Migration.
This decision effectively ends U.S. involvement in a forum that many critics believe encourages mass immigration and undermines national sovereignty by promoting what they consider international “rights” for immigrants.
The GFMD has been instrumental in shaping the UN’s Global Compact on Migration, which is a non-binding framework aimed at fostering international cooperation regarding migration policies and protecting migrant rights. The Trump administration has expressed strong opposition to this compact, arguing it weakens the authority of nations to enforce their own immigration laws and maintain control over borders.
“International organizations have, for too long, supported an endless flow of mass immigration and pressured Americans to adopt harmful policies,” stated Tommy Piggott, chief deputy press secretary. He emphasized that “the era of mass immigration is over” under Trump’s leadership.
Piggott remarked that the administration will not endorse organizations that aim to disguise illegal immigration or undermine U.S. sovereignty. He pointed out that the GFMD is a key international body advocating for immigrant rights.
The Biden administration had previously supported both the Global Compact and the GFMD, which officials from the Trump administration see as a stark contrast to the former president’s border security agenda.
GFMD has faced criticism from hardline immigration advocates for collaborating with groups opposing the criminalization of immigration and denouncing mass deportations. The organization has also hosted events warning against the normalization of quick deportations and narratives that portray immigrants negatively.
In a 2020 document intended to influence public opinion, GFMD urged a shift away from the term “illegal immigration,” arguing it fosters division. Notably, they acknowledged receiving feedback from George Soros’ Open Society Foundations on migration-related communication.
The GFMD also promotes the idea of migrants sending remittances back home as a beneficial economic practice. However, critics argue that this transfers significant amounts of money out of the U.S. economy annually.
The Trump administration views this withdrawal as part of a larger strategy to reclaim control over U.S. immigration policy, rejecting what they describe as a globalist movement aimed at normalizing mass immigration.
“The United States will not hesitate to assert its sovereign control over borders and protect our fundamental rights,” Piggott added.
During his presidency, Trump opted out of several United Nations-backed initiatives, including the Paris climate agreement, citing concerns over domestic law and U.S. sovereignty.
Officials often pointed to Europe’s migration challenges as a cautionary tale, arguing that lax immigration policies have led to social unrest, overburdened public services, and compromised internal security.
