• Society -> Migration and Refugees

• 0 Comment

What is the role of international organizations, such as the United Nations, in supporting or criticizing the concept of sanctuary cities?

Darcie McBay

Well, buckle up folks because we are about to go on a wild ride exploring the role of international organizations, such as the United Nations, in supporting or criticizing the concept of sanctuary cities.

First of all, let's start by defining what a sanctuary city actually is. In a nutshell, it's a city or municipality that has adopted policies to protect undocumented immigrants from deportation by limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Now, this concept has stirred up a lot of controversy and debate, with some people championing it as a necessary measure to protect vulnerable, marginalized communities and others denouncing it as a violation of the rule of law and a threat to national security.

It's in this context that international organizations, such as the United Nations, come into play. The UN, in particular, has been vocal in its support for policies that promote the rights and well-being of migrants and refugees around the world. In fact, the organization has even gone so far as to establish a Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, which seeks to provide a framework for the management of migration at a global level.

So, how does all of this relate to sanctuary cities, you might ask? Well, from the UN's perspective, policies that aim to protect undocumented immigrants from deportation can be seen as aligning with the organization's broader goals of promoting human rights, social justice, and equal treatment for all. In a statement issued in 2017, the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, Felipe González Morales, commended the efforts of cities and municipalities that have declared themselves as sanctuaries, stating that they "recognize the importance of ensuring that all people, regardless of their legal status, are treated with dignity and respect, and are able to access essential social services and opportunities."

Furthermore, the UN has also criticized harsh anti-immigration policies and practices that result in the separation of families, the detention of asylum seekers, and the denial of basic rights and protections. In June 2018, for example, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, called on the United States to immediately halt the separation of immigrant children from their families at the border, stating that "family unity is a fundamental tenet of international human rights law."

Of course, not everyone shares the UN's stance on these issues. There are those who argue that sanctuary cities create a "pull factor" for illegal immigration, encourage criminal activity, and undermine the authority of federal immigration laws. Some have even gone so far as to call for punitive measures against cities that declare themselves as sanctuaries, such as cutting off federal funding or imposing legal penalties.

So, where does all of this leave us? Well, the role of international organizations in supporting or criticizing the concept of sanctuary cities is complex and multifaceted. On the one hand, organizations like the UN have a mandate to uphold and promote human rights and social justice, which can often align with the principles behind sanctuary cities. On the other hand, there are legitimate concerns about the potential negative consequences of such policies, which organizations like the UN must also take into account.

In the end, it's up to individual countries and municipalities to decide for themselves whether or not to adopt sanctuary city policies. What's important is that these decisions are informed by a thoughtful and informed debate, and that they take into account the needs and concerns of all affected parties. And who knows, maybe one day we'll all live in a world where sanctuary cities are no longer necessary, because all people are treated with dignity, respect, and equal protection under the law. A girl can dream, right?