On Thursday, April 25, 2024 1-2:30 PM, online, a discussion on forced displacement to the United States was taken up. The moderator of the event, presenting panelists to discuss it in one of two groups, was RAFDI director, John Majok. Discussants were Sarah Miller, Senior Fellow Refugees International; Professor Susan Martin, Emerita, Georgetown University; and Professor Laura Robison, Pennsylvania State University. Then, continuing, Mathew Reynolds, UNHCR; Lauren Thomas, Advocacy Officer, Conrad Hilton Foundation; Nili Yossinger, Director, Refugee Congress; and Professor Hollifield, Tower Center SMU.
Most migrants are coming from the global south to the north, many from Venezuela, Syria, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and some even from Ukraine. There's typically someone from the Refugee Congress, a person who was once on the trek to the US and made it, to lend them a "Welcome" hand. The financing each year has gotten leaner and yearly there's a deficit. It is estimated travel for the "caravans" are some 11B only 6B available funds each year. US-Aid and World Bank help with funding even once their here; and of course, religious groups are a great resource and provide assistance.
Nevertheless, there's great emphasis these professionals placed upon the need of migrant protection on the trek of many thousands of miles! I would imagine the Cartels are a migrant's nightmare especially in Mexico.
Host governments may look kindly on migrants to their country, whether they end up in the States or stop off in another land, particularly if there are more older citizenry to care for than the population of younger people to supply its coffers from formal taxes with ample financial reserves.
These participants wanted also to assure their listeners that the migrants are emphatic: they don't want to go back from whence they came!
The panelists seemed a dedicated group of advocates aimed at making the immigrants feel comfortable in their new land; and their long journey worthwhile. But not just for their clan, but personally committed to contribute to our society what they can, as they develop an appreciation for what the United States is.
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