Immigration Hub Statement on Vice President Harris and the Biden Administration’s Unprecedented Efforts to Tackle the Root Causes of Migration in Central America 

Washington, D.C. – Today, Vice President Kamala Harris continued the administration’s groundbreaking work to address the root causes of migration from Central America to the United States. The Vice President released key milestones of the administration’s Call to Action Initiative, a public-private partnership to create economic security and resilience in Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador.

The Vice President announced that, to date, this initiative has harnessed over $4.2 billion in key investments to the region. She also announced her new initiative called “Central America Forward,” which will aim to generate at “least 1 million jobs in the region by 2032, provide education and training to 75,000 individuals by 2027 to prepare them for employment and facilitate at least $500 million in infrastructure deals by 2027.”

As part of the plan to manage and mitigate migration, the Biden administration has coupled root cause alleviation strategies with efforts to expand legal pathways. Tested initially with Ukrainians and Afghans, these efforts have been expanded to include Venezuelans, Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans. They are producing promising results as many embrace the new parole program to seek safety in the U.S. with their families and other sponsors.

In response to these announcements, Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:

“Today’s announcement by Vice President Harris demonstrates the administration’s strong commitment to tackling the root causes of forced migration in the Americas. In sharp contrast to the previous administration’s destructive approach, with policies that undermined our partnerships with leaders and NGOs in the region, the Vice President has transformed our government’s partnership with governments in Central America as well as with the public and private sector. These innovative programs, policies, and initiatives are enabling vulnerable populations in Central America to have options, and the result is that many will stay home rather than attempt risky journeys to the southern border, or, if they do seek to migrate to America, they do so through the expanded legal pathways.

“The infusion of over $4.2 billion in vital private sector investments to Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador and the launch of the new ‘Central America Forward’ framework will maximize investments for long-term economic resilience in the region. In turn, these investments will help to unlock economic opportunities for workers, small business owners, young people, and women.

“While much work remains to build upon the success of the administration in addressing root causes, Congress must do its part by finally passing immigration reform. Such legislation is not only critical to a functioning, dynamic, and humane immigration system, and a well-managed border, but to millions of undocumented immigrants such as Dreamers and farmworkers who have waited for far too long for a path to citizenship.

“We commend Vice President Harris for her steadfast work on this issue. Her leadership is bringing key partners into the expanding effort to address root causes head-on. The administration’s strategy has served as an antidote to some of the worst policies implemented by President Trump and Stephen Miller, who cut aid from Central America, undermined our legal immigration system, gutted the asylum process, and strained relations with Latin America. Instead of the stunts, cruelty and chaos of the former administration, Vice President Harris is demonstrating that real solutions on rising migration do not come through cheap talking points about building walls but through addressing rising migration in the hemisphere with commitment, hard work, and a multipronged strategy.”

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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.