WASHINGTON, Nov. 27, 2025 – The Trump administration has instructed U.S. diplomats abroad to lobby foreign governments against pro-migration policies, according to a U.S. State Department cable reviewed by Reuters. The directive cites concerns about violent crimes and human rights abuses allegedly linked to migrants.

The cable, sent last Friday to dozens of U.S. embassies across Europe, Canada, and Australia, instructs diplomats to monitor and report incidents involving “individuals of a migration background” and analyze how host countries respond. Diplomats are also tasked with pushing governments to reform migration policies and limit programs that facilitate mass migration.

“We encourage your government to ensure that policies protect your citizens from the negative social impacts of mass migration, including displacement, sexual assault, and the breakdown of law and order,” the cable reads, according to a New York Times report.

Expansion of Trump’s Anti-Migration Agenda

The Trump administration has made anti-immigration a cornerstone of its policy, both domestically and internationally. Since taking office, President Trump has:

• Deployed additional U.S. troops to the southern border.
• Pledged the deportation of millions of undocumented immigrants.
• Reduced the U.S. refugee admissions cap for fiscal 2026 to a record low of 7,500, down from 100,000 under the Biden administration.

The administration has framed these measures as necessary to protect public safety and social cohesion, although studies consistently show that immigrants are not more likely to commit crimes than native-born populations.

Global Push to Restrict Migration

According to the cable, the State Department is urging foreign governments to resist practices that favor migrant populations at the expense of local communities, including policies that could lead to displacement or limit criticism of migration programs.

In September, U.S. officials also called on other nations to participate in a global campaign to reduce asylum protections, signaling a broader effort to reshape the international framework for humanitarian migration established after World War II.

The directive quotes President Trump as saying, “A nation without borders is not a nation,” reinforcing his administration’s emphasis on restricting migration both inside and outside the United States.

State Department Response

A spokesperson for the State Department stated that mass migration is a human rights concern and often correlates with increased violent crimes, though no specific data were provided to support this claim.

The move comes amid heightened political debate in the U.S. over migration policy, refugee admissions, and the administration’s international lobbying efforts.