Torres Statement on Trump Central American Migration Comments
WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA), the founder and co-chair of the Central America Caucus and member of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere in the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement on President Donald Trump's comments about Central American migration:
"President Trump acts surprised that many Central American families are crossing Mexico in search of refuge. He should not be surprised. There is nothing new about the violence and poverty that are driving so many of these families from their homes. The Central America Caucus has been working on a bipartisan basis to address those problems. Unfortunately, President Trump's weak leadership and lack of principles have made the situation much worse.
"Many of the migrants and refugees in the caravan are fleeing Honduras, where violence, human rights violations, and instability are on the rise after a deeply tainted election, when a lack of legitimacy and the violent repression of protests diminished the Honduran people's faith in the country's already frail and corrupt institutions. The Organization of American States, which for many years has worked with the United States to promote democracy in the Americas, said publicly that it could not be sure which candidate won. The OAS Secretary General even called for new elections. But the Trump administration did not have the courage to stand with the OAS and its Secretary General. In fact, the State Department issued a certification of Honduras' progress before the dust was settled.
"By abandoning the cause of democracy in Honduras, the Trump administration has helped to create the chaos we are seeing there now. Instead of blaming Mexico for a new wave of Central American migration, President Trump should look in the mirror."
Torres is the Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Foreign Policy and Latin America Task Force. Last year, the House of Representatives approved H.Res 145, Torres' resolution reaffirming congressional support for the fight against corruption in Central America.