US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Photo: Xinhua

Washington (People’s Daily) – US State Department released a statement alerting the UN that it will cease its participation with the Global Compact on Migration citing inconsistencies that were, “simply not compatible with US sovereignty.”

“We simply cannot in good faith support a process that could undermine the sovereign right of the United States to enforce our immigration laws and secure our borders,” read the statement from US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

The official statement pointed out that the US willingly supports international cooperation on migration issues, “but it is the primary responsibility of sovereign states to help ensure that migration is safe, orderly, and legal.”

Last year the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, an initiative dedicated to “safe, orderly and regular migration.”

UN General Assembly President Miroslav Lajčák issued a response, stressing that no single country can “manage international migration on its own.”  

Disappointed with the White House departure, Lajcak admitted the nation’s involvement was crucial and said, “The United Nations should not miss this opportunity to improve the lives of millions of people throughout the world.”

The early US exit comes just before the global conference on migration commences in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on December 4.