Obscured by the recent excitement over President Obama’s renewed push for a comprehensive immigration law is the fact that the United States has not signed a major international convention protecting the rights of migrant workers and their families.

On Dec. 18, 1990, the United Nations adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrants Workers and Members of Their Families. It took effect in 2003.

The convention recognizes the growing number of migrants all over the world and the immigrants’ contributions to the development of both their host and native countries. It also promotes and protects the rights of migrant workers and their families.

Sadly though, the United States and several other migrant-receiving countries have refused to sign the agreement.

Watch this slideshow to learn more about the Convention on the Rights of Migrant Workers.

(This slideshow was first posted on the website of the General Board for Church and Society of the United Methodist Church in September 2012.)