“Regardless of what documents they carry, all [migrants] should be protected and treated humanely,” Kerry said in a statement, marking the International Migrants Day.
The US secretary of state also underscored the need for countries around the world to help address the migrant crisis. Kerry noted that the vast majority of 200 million people who migrate every year do so legally.
“Whether they are escaping war or poverty or seeking opportunity, migrants’ quests can benefit everyone, from families back home that depend on their earnings, to employers abroad who need their energy and skill,” Kerry said.
In October, President Barack Obama announced the United States would accept 10,000 Syrian refugees in 2016. The decision cause widespread opposition among lawmakers, state governors and the general public, primarily because of security concerns.
On Wednesday, US House Speaker Paul Ryan said the Senate will hold a debate in 2016 on the issue of Syrian refugee resettlement in the United States.
