07 JUN 2022

Vice President Harris Launches Critical Efforts to Support Economies Throughout Central America 

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Vice President Harris announced a new initiative, the Central American Service Corps (CASC), and new commitments to support women’s economic empowerment in northern Central America and the Western Hemisphere. The CASC program is a collective effort, among public, private and philanthropic partners, that brought the Vice President’s vision to empower young people in the region to gain opportunities, mentorship, and a path to future employment. The initiative is one of many actions that Vice President Harris has taken to address the root causes of migration and ensure strong regional ties and prosperity in the Western Hemisphere. Her new commitments to women in the region will provide opportunities in the financial and agricultural sectors while fighting gender-based violence and closing the digital divide.

Marshall Fitz, Managing Director of Immigration at the Emerson Collective, issued the following statement:

“When Vice President Harris announced the U.S. strategy to address the root causes of migration in Central America last summer, it was an aspirational concept. Fast forward a year and the fruits of her leadership and the team’s innovative approach are now on display with the launch of new concrete initiatives that have a chance to alter the decisional calculus for would-be migrants. We strongly applaud the creation of the Central American Service Corps, which will generate community service, employment, and mentorship opportunities for tens of thousands of young people across El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras in the coming years. This public/private partnership is the type of innovative initiative that can create hope for a meaningful future and a sense of belonging for young people who have too often been left with no choice but to flee their homes and countries. For many years, we have paid lip service to the importance of ‘addressing root causes’. For those who want real solutions and not soundbites, we now have leaders who are translating that talk into concrete action.”

Kerri Talbot, Deputy Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:

“Vice President Harris is following through on her commitment to address the root causes of migration in Central America with actionable and innovative initiatives that could alter the lives of countless families, women and young people throughout Latin America. The vice president’s efforts through her In Her Hands initiatives will remove barriers for women in the region. This program demonstrates her commitment to all women, regardless of who they are or where they come from. At the center of a prosperous future for the Western Hemisphere are women who will have better access to jobs, training, and more opportunities across different sectors through these initiatives.

“Such a holistic approach to immigration, economic growth and diplomacy is how we can truly tackle the reasons forcing people to leave their homes and families while inspiring a generation to envision a new future for themselves and their homeland. We applaud Vice President Harris for creating the type of transformative change that can make a long-term impact on people, economies and nations.”

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The Immigration Hub is a national organization dedicated to advancing fair and just immigration policies through strategic leadership, innovative communications strategies, legislative advocacy and collaborative partnerships.