 | | | | | | | | Centering Migrant Rights at the Global Forum on Migration & Development | | “Resistance is not just endurance,” stated Pedro Rios of the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, reflecting on his work to uphold migrant rights at the U.S-Mexico border. “Resistance means building something new, and being led in this task by those who are the most impacted.” - Article by GFMD Civil Society | | In September, Pedro Rios, longtime advocate for migrant justice and a member of NNIRR’s Board of Directors, represented the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights at the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) in Riohacha, Colombia. He offers the following reflection on his experience | | 2025 GFMD Summit in Colombia | | The 15th Summit of the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) concluded after three days of high-level discussions and collaborations in Riohacha, Colombia’s coastal town in its beautiful Guajira region. The event took place from September 2 to 4 and brought together more than 800 people from governments, civil society, the private sector, and international organizations to advance lasting solutions to the challenges of human mobility in an ever-changing geopolitical landscape. Civil society organizations from a diverse set of sectors, including migrant-led, labor, religious, migrants’ rights, human rights, and others, participated in a parallel process leading up to the GFMD and directly engaged with each other and with government representatives throughout the event’s scheduled sessions. I participated as a board member for the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (NNIRR). | | “Resist, Reclaim, Realise” | | A day before the official start of the GFMD, representatives of civil society launched a global campaign titled, Resist, Reclaim, Realise: Migrant Rights are Human Rights. The public pronouncement during the last of four preparatory meetings in a year-long process was intended to make civil society’s contributions to the GFMD more robust and impactful. It simultaneously served as an alert to government entities and other parties that there has never been a greater urgency to defend migrants’ rights and dignity amidst a rise of global fascism. | | Opening Panel on Migrant Rights | | The day-long event on September 1 included three panels organized around the campaign’s core themes. I joined the opening panel where, along with three other panelists, we reflected on past, present, and future meanings of resistance and how these could guide our work in support of people experiencing migration and to challenge the criminalization of people on the move and of those who work to defend migrants’ rights. Former NNIRR staff member Colin Rajah moderated the conversation with questions that inspired panelists to provide examples of how campaigns rooted in resistance have changed policy and increased power in migrant-led movements seeking to protect, defend, and expand migrants’ rights. I shared examples of how migrants and allies in San Diego and throughout Southern California are resisting violent immigration raids meant to cement fear in vulnerable communities. From expansive neighborhood networks, know-your-rights workshops, coordinated community patrols, and court accompaniment projects, these are expressions of resistance during a time of increased assaults on migrant communities. Other panelists also provided examples of resistance and insisted that successful campaigns must be migrant-led and center those who would be most harmed by anti-migrant policies. | | | | Over the next few days, opportunities to have fruitful discussions between civil society and government representatives were somewhat stymied by communication deficiencies by host government representatives and required a concerted effort to seek out engagement. Side events organized by attending organizations were inspirational, especially on topics related to labor rights of marginalized migrant workers. At its conclusion, civil society organizations remained committed to charging forward with the campaign to Resist, Reclaim, Realise, and they worked together across sectors to strengthen their resolve in challenging destructive narratives and policies toward people on the move. However, it remains unclear how a future GFMD would proceed without a commitment from a government to host the 16th Summit. The National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights | | | | | | | | | | Every contribution makes a difference. We are deeply grateful for your solidarity and partnership. | | | | Your contributions support NNIRR to: Advocate for immigration policy that centers human rights Lift up grassroots leadership, organizing, and advocacy Spotlight human rights organizing at the US-Mexico border Advocate for international migrant rights & human rights at borders Organize at the intersections of gender, climate justice, and migrant rights | | | | | | | | National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (NNIRR) 310 8th ST, Suite #310 Oakland, CA 94607 Oakland, CA | El Paso, TX | [email protected] | nnirr.org | | | | | | | | | |
