IOM Statement on Rising Demands for Return Assistance

Washington, 1 February 2025 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) welcomes the United States’ commitment to resuming life-saving humanitarian activities. Secretary Rubio’s decision reinforces U.S. leadership in global humanitarian response, bringing stability and structure to complex displacement challenges.

Amid rising demand for return assistance across Latin America and the Caribbean, IOM is expanding efforts to help migrants return home, reintegrate, and rebuild their lives. In Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama, IOM has resumed its regional Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) programs, providing urgent support to vulnerable migrants who are unable or unwilling to remain where they are and need help to return home safely and with dignity. Working closely with governments and humanitarian partners, IOM ensures that returns are voluntary, sustainable and managed in a safe, orderly, and dignified manner. Recent weeks have seen a sharp increase in AVR requests, underscoring the program’s crucial role as a lifeline for stranded migrants.   

In Haiti, where thousands are returned each week, IOM has long delivered a range of services to returned migrants, including urgent assistance on arrival, temporary shelter, and support to help returnees reintegrate into their communities. These efforts not only address immediate needs but also contribute to stability, security and the creation of alternatives to irregular migration. 

IOM remains committed to ensuring returnees have access to reintegration opportunities— both individually and at community level – so they can rebuild their lives in their home country.  Over the past decades, IOM has facilitated the voluntary return of more than 1.5 million migrants globally, underscoring its longstanding commitment to sustainable return and reintegration as a cornerstone of sound migration management. 

 With decades of experience partnering with governments—including the United States as a founding member and its largest donor—IOM remains dedicated to addressing migration challenges through effective, principled, and needs-driven solutions. IOM looks forward to deepening its collaboration with the United States in the months and years ahead. 

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