August 08, 2019

Torres Statement on Congressional Delegation Visit to the Northern Triangle and Texas

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-CA) is joining U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) on a congressional delegation to Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and McAllen, Texas to hold high-level discussions with representatives from the government, the judiciary, civil society, community and faith-based groups, the private sector, and human rights organizations.

"We're here to demonstrate to the people of the Northern Triangle that the United States remains committed to being an honest broker in the region. Congress is focused on addressing the corruption, violence, and poverty that fuel migration," said Torres. "The delegation looks forward to strengthening the partnership between our nations to improve the rule of law, security, and economic opportunity. I'm grateful for Speaker Pelosi's leadership to address the root causes of migration."

After concluding their visit to the Northern Triangle countries, the delegation will travel to McAllen, Texas to see detention conditions for migrants from Central America and to meet with faith-based and community leaders, as well as with asylum-seeking families.

Other members of the congressional delegation are Representatives Eliot Engel (D-NY), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-American Samoa), Anthony Brown (D-MD), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), Jesús "Chuy" García (D-IL), Katie Hill (D-CA), and Lauren Underwood (D-IL).

Torres, the only Central American serving in Congress, is a member of the powerful House Appropriations and Rules Committees. She is the founder and co-chair of the Central America Caucus.

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