Mayors Across the Americas Unite to Lead on Migration Solutions Amid National and Global Gridlock
September 23, 2024, New York NY – In a significant move to address escalating migration and displacement across the Western Hemisphere, the Mayors Migration Council (MMC) and Emerson Collective, along with strategic partners International Organization for Migration (IOM) and CAF–Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, announced the launch of the Mayors of the Americas Task Force on Migration. This new coalition unites mayors from major cities across the Americas—from Bogotá, Colombia, to San Antonio, U.S.—to implement innovative, city-led migration responses and break through the political gridlock that has slowed national-level responses.
While people are on the move in the Americas for numerous reasons ranging from the effects of the climate crisis to political instability to citizen insecurity, they share one thing in common— most are arriving in urban settings. The populations of the 20 largest cities in Latin America and the Caribbean, for example, have grown by 20 percent during the past 5 years, fueled largely by migration.
“As cities across the Americas navigate the challenges of migration, it is essential for us to come together, not just to manage the impacts, but to lead the way in shaping solutions,” said Carlos Galán, Mayor of Bogotá and founding member of the task force. “The political significance of migration today demands strong, coordinated action from cities like Bogotá. We have the opportunity—and the responsibility—to shape global migration policy, fostering inclusion, economic opportunity, and stability for both migrants and local communities. This task force is a vital step towards that goal.”
The announcement of the task force comes at a pivotal moment, as world leaders convene at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City to tackle global issues, including growing displacement and migration. Governments, at the national and local levels, are strategically positioned to advance collaborative migration management strategies that go beyond domestic policy. This creates a critical opportunity for cities to step in with bold, international, coordinated responses, emerging from the talks in New York this week.
“With political gridlock paralyzing national governments, cities are stepping up to address the immediate needs of newcomers seeking a better future,” said Mayor Ron Nirenberg of San Antonio, also a founding member of the task force. “Our cities are ready to lead—taking action on inclusive job creation, complementary pathways to address our broken asylum and immigration systems, and challenging the narrative that migration is a crisis simply because politics are in crisis.”
Beginning in September 2024 and running through the Summit of the Americas at the end of 2025, this task force will aim to create a city-led political vision and action agenda on migration cooperation, offer a platform and visibility for mayors as regional and global leaders, and explore potential city partnerships and projects to demonstrate city leadership in action and drive momentum.
“Cities have the power to influence national and regional policies on issues like economic inclusion, labor mobility, protection, and climate migration,” said Marshall Fitz, Managing Director of Immigration, Emerson Collective. “Support from philanthropy and the private sector can help cities develop and test innovative solutions that have the potential to be replicated and scaled.”
The task force’s key priorities will include city-led migration pathways, aimed at helping cities coordinate their efforts on migration management—from sharing best practices for reception to pooling resources for relocation. The task force will also emphasize economic inclusion, working alongside businesses and local governments to create job opportunities, provide training and certification, and dismantle barriers such as language requirements and degree recognition for migrants.
“The Mayors of the Americas Task Force is taking a bold, fresh approach to managing migration across the Western Hemisphere, focusing on pragmatic, city-to-city partnerships that prioritize migration pathways and socio-economic inclusion,” said Vittoria Zanuso, Executive Director of the Mayors Migration Council. “To bring these innovative project ideas to life, we will leverage our Global Cities Fund for Migrants and Refugees to channel resources directly to cities. But lasting change requires sustained investment. We urge philanthropies, public donors, and international financial institutions to step up and invest in city governments—because the future of migration will be shaped locally, and the success of these initiatives will have a lasting impact on migrants, the communities that welcome them, and the cities they come to call home.”
The task force will also engage strategic partners to support and contribute to their mayor-led vision and action, starting with the UN Migration Agency (IOM) and CAF-Latin American Development Bank.
“Mayors are known for driving practical solutions, and that’s what mayors across the Americas are doing here, shaping labor pathways as part of a comprehensive approach that will benefit migrants and their local communities,” said Amy Pope, Director General of IOM. “This new task force will create a win-win for everyone.”
“Pragmatic city alliances that break down policy and financial barriers are key to advancing hemispheric cooperation on migration,” added Sergio Díaz-Granados, Executive President of CAF. “Human mobility and migratory flows in Latin America and the Caribbean require solutions that are aligned with urban development strategies and tailored to local contexts. At CAF, we work with national and subnational governments to strengthen their capacities, with a focus on migrants’ needs. Our goal is to generate more inclusion through greater involvement of different levels of government and agencies, fostering more orderly, humane, and safe responses. We urge our partners and financial institutions to invest directly in city-driven solutions, maximizing their resources to unlock the full potential of migration for both newcomers and local economies alike.”
The Mayors Migration Council is a mayor-led coalition that accelerates ambitious global action on migration and displacement to create a world where urban migrants, displaced people, and receiving communities can thrive. Learn more at www.mayorsmigrationcouncil.org.
Emerson Collective is a company that invests in entrepreneurs and innovators driven by purpose and a sense of possibility, working to create a world of abundance for future generations. Complex challenges in education and economic mobility, immigration and the environment require audacious ideas, rigorous thinking and hard work and we are proud to partner with those taking big swings. Learn more at www.emersoncollective.com.
Established in 1951, IOM is part of the United Nations System and stands as the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration. With 175 member states, a further 8 states holding observer status and offices in 171 countries, IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing support to migrants across the world, developing effective responses to the shifting dynamics of migration and providing advice on migration policy and practice.Learn more at www.iom.int.
The mission of CAF – development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean – is to promote sustainable development and regional integration by financing public and private sector projects, providing technical cooperation and other specialized services. Learn more at www.caf.com.
