Torres Meets with VP Harris on Root Causes of Migration
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today met with Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House to discuss the root causes of migration and current political dynamics in the Northern Triangle ahead of the Vice President's trip to the region.
Torres, who was born in Guatemala and immigrated to the United States at the age of 5, is the sole Central American currently serving in Congress. As a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee for State and Foreign Operations (SFOPS), she brings these firsthand experiences to bear in considerations of foreign funding to the region.
Congresswoman Torres released the following statement:
"I deeply appreciate the time Vice President Harris took with us today, and for our engaging conversation about the factors that lead so many Central Americans to make the harrowing trek to our Southern border," Rep. Norma J. Torres said. "This administration understands that solving our immigration challenges is a long-term endeavor to address root causes in the Northern Triangle nations, and not just the symptoms at our border. I stressed the critical importance of addressing systemic corruption and upholding the rule of law to see meaningful change in the region. Vice President Harris brings heartfelt leadership to this important work, and her interest in hearing from my colleagues and me today only further emphasizes her commitment to protecting vulnerable lives, creating opportunity for families in the region, and promoting accountability and stability. I wish the Vice President luck on her upcoming trip to the region, and look forward our to continued collaboration with the Administration to ensure residents of the Northern Triangle are secure enough at home that migration to our borders becomes simply unnecessary."
Today's meeting included eight leaders from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC). Rep. Torres was one of four Members who joined in person, with four more attended virtually. The full list of attendees is:
CHC Chair Congressman Raul Ruiz, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, Congressman Albio Sires, Congressman Joaquin Castro (virtual), Congresswoman Norma Torres, Congressman Vicente González (virtual), Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (virtual) and Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (virtual).
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