Policy & Advocacy
Backgrounder on Root Causes of Migration, 2018
Backgrounder on Root Causes of Migration 2018
Since 2011 the U.S. has seen a sharp rise in unaccompanied children and families—mainly at the Mexico border—driven by a “perfect storm” of interrelated root causes. The U.S. bishops call for addressing those root causes so migration is a choice, not necessity, and propose long-term, multifaceted U.S. policy responses focused on just trade, inclusive development, rule-of-law strengthening, human security, and violence reduction.
Prevent forced migration by addressing structural drivers at source while supporting governance, human rights, and sustainable development so families can remain safely and with dignity in their home communities.
Root causes
- Violence and insecurity driven by gangs, the drug trade, transnational criminal organizations, arms trafficking, and human trafficking.
- Economic desperation, unemployment, weakened agriculture, and lack of living-wage job opportunities.
- Limited access to quality education, health, housing, and basic services.
- Weak rule of law, corruption, and weak judicial institutions that reduce public trust and accountability.
- Environmental and external economic pressures, including excessive foreign debt.
- Family reunification pressures amplified by the above factors.
Church principles
- Every person has a right to remain in their homeland and support their family with dignity.
- Migration should be driven by free choice, not absolute necessity.
- Responses must be long-term, regionally focused (especially Mexico and Central America), and multi-pronged.
Policy recommendations
- Reform trade policy to support just development: reduce distortive subsidies, tariffs, and quotas; ensure trade agreements promote social and economic gains for vulnerable workers.
- Target foreign assistance to foster inclusive growth, poverty reduction, employment creation, disaster risk reduction, and partnerships with local governments, private sector, and civil society.
- Promote job-creating economic policies and investments in health, housing, and education to expand local opportunities.
- Strengthen civil society, judicial capacity, and rule-of-law institutions to increase accountability and protect rights, including religious freedom and indigenous rights.
- Address external economic destabilizers such as excessive debt.
- Prioritize efforts to curb illicit drugs, corruption, illegal arms flows, and organized crime that fuel violence and displacement.