Vice President Kamala Harris hosted a webcast meeting on Monday afternoon with Guatemala President Alejandro Giamatei to discuss the “root causes” of the illegal immigration crisis on the US-Mexico border.
Harris has been President Biden’s point man at addressing the “root causes” of the increase in illegal crossings, but critics question his commitment, despite the lack of relevant travel and rare public events.
Harris said during brief opening remarks that “the Western Hemisphere is our collective home” and there will be widespread discussion for journalists.
“We are looking at the issue of poverty and lack of economic opportunities; Extreme weather conditions and lack of climate adaptation, as well as corruption and lack of good governance, and the issue of violence against women, indigenous people, LBGTQ people and Afro-descendants, ”she said.
Harris said, “I look forward to traveling to Guatemala and meeting with you in person. We currently plan to arrive in the month of June. ”
Harris has not yet visited Central America or visited the border – but he traveled extensively to promote Biden’s nearly $ 2 trillion COVID-19 incentive bill and his proposed $ 2 trillion infrastructure package is.
The vice president spoke on the phone last month with Jiamatei, whose citizens form one of the largest groups of migrants crossing the US-Mexico border illegally, and he said he recently planned to travel to Guatemala and Mexico She is making.
Harris said Monday that “the United States has plans to relieve the region, so that our cooperation is strengthened to manage migration in an effective, safe, and courteous manner.”
She also claimed that the US was “building a comprehensive strategy with international institutions with partners in the United States and the private sector as well as with community organizations around the world.”
Giammattei told Harris, according to a report, that “the Guatemalan government wants to be your partner to address … not only poverty but the many evils that affect us.”
Illegal crossings along the border have a height of at least 20 years. Although the Biden administration claims that it removes all single adults and most family units under a Trump administration COVID-19 policy, it allowed all illegal minors to remain, at least temporarily, in cramped, prison-like facilities. is.
On March 24, Biden asked Harris to lead the US response to an unprecedented surge of migrants from the “Northern Triangle” – Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador – in Central America.
But the White House later insisted that it would only address the “root causes” of migration and not border enforcement.
In this role, Harris spoke with Mexican President Andres Manuel López Obredor last month, but he has not yet spoken with Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández or with El Salvador’s President Nayab Bukele.
Last week, top Republicans in three House committees wrote in a cutting letter to Harris, “It is not clear if, if you plan to respond to any of the actions or crises directed at you that continue to worsen each day.”
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