The Safe Mobility Initiative, implemented by the US State Department in 2023, aimed to address irregular migration to the United States through legal pathways and refugee resettlement options. Despite limitations in the programme’s eligibility requirements and the exclusion of vulnerable migrants, such as those in transit or without legal status, the initiative has been seen as a step forward in providing access to protection in a region where legal pathways are scarce. The Mixed Migration Centre’s report praised the initiative for expanding access to resettlement options but noted that political pressures in the US could affect the sustainability of the Safe Mobility Offices.
The programme was designed as a way to alleviate pressure on the US-Mexico border by establishing processing centres in Latin American countries where eligible migrants and refugee applicants could receive support for their immigration cases without having to make the dangerous journey to the border. While the initiative has shown promise in expanding access to resettlement options, the report highlighted that current eligibility requirements exclude many vulnerable migrants and restrict access to other existing migration pathways, such as humanitarian parole programmes, work visas, and family reunification schemes. The initiative has primarily benefited Venezuelans in Colombia and Guatemalans in Guatemala, with only a fraction of the expected migrants and asylum seekers in the region able to access the services.
The report pointed out that restrictions in eligibility, such as only citizens of nine countries being eligible to apply and the requirement to be present in the partner country prior to the opening of the offices, have limited the programme’s reach and impact. Additionally, the emphasis on refugee resettlement at the centres was cited as a structural deficiency, as it does not provide direct support for other legal pathways for migrants. However, the State Department spokesperson noted that thousands of applicants have benefitted from the programme by either remaining in local host communities or completing the vetting process to resettle in the US or other countries.
Despite the limitations and challenges, the report sees the Safe Mobility Offices as a model that can be replicated elsewhere, including in Europe. The Danish Refugee Council’s secretary-general emphasized the importance of political commitment and investments in finding ways to increase safe pathways for migrants, enabling them to resume their lives in safety and stability. The report called for addressing the structural deficiencies of the programme and expanding access to other existing migration pathways for migrants who do not qualify for resettlement. The initiative’s potential benefits could be maximized with adjustments to the eligibility requirements and a greater emphasis on providing support for various legal pathways to migration.
