Coordinating With UN On Refugees 'Game Changer' For US, Mexico - Senator Graham

Faizan Hashmi Published October 19, 2018 | 08:25 PM

Mexico's decision to request the help of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) could be a "game changer" in the debate on illegal immigration and border security, US Senator Lindsey Graham said in a statement.

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th October, 2018) Mexico's decision to request the help of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) could be a "game changer" in the debate on illegal immigration and border security, US Senator Lindsey Graham said in a statement.

"Coordinating with the United Nations long before the refugees and caravans reach the US border could be a game changer in how we deal with this problem," Graham said in a statement posted on Twitter.

Under the terms of the deal, revealed by Fox news on Thursday, the UNHCR will establish shelters along Mexico's southern border with Central America.

UN officials will vet the refugees to decide which ones have legitimate claims for refugee status; the ones with legitimate claims will be placed in a host country and the ones without will be sent home, the report said.

On Thursday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States stands ready to assist Mexico and the UNHCR in their efforts.

Pompeo, who on an official visit to Mexico, met earlier on Friday with the country's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray.