UNGA formally approves global migration pact opposed by U.S., others

The United Nations General Assembly, UNGA has formally approved a deal aimed at boosting global cooperation to tackle rising migration, but the United States, Israel, Hungary, Czech Republic and Poland voted against the voluntary pact.

A U.N. General Assembly resolution enshrining the deal was adopted on Wednesday with one hundred and fifty-two votes in favour and twelve abstentions, while twenty-four countries did not vote.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has said the global approach to the issue was not compatible with U.S. sovereignty and Washington did not take part in negotiations on the migration pact.

Since July, the accord, which addresses issues such as how to protect migrants, integrate them and send them home, has been criticized by mostly right-wing European politicians who say it could increase immigration from African and Arab countries.