US Ambassador Ken Salazar Announces Measures to Address Migration Crisis and Strengthen Regional Cooperation

Advertising – LB2 –

Ambassador Ken Salazar announces measures to address the unprecedented migration crisis and strengthen regional cooperation on the matter.

Ciudad Juarez, Chih. (DNA/David Gamboa) – The United States Ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, announced at a press conference the measures that the Joe Biden government will implement to address the immigration crisis in the region and achieve an orderly, safe, and humane immigration system.

To achieve this goal, the US government will consistently enforce the law, provide legal avenues, and continue to strengthen efforts to address the root causes of migration. In addition, they will launch an aggressive campaign against human trafficking and fight misinformation from traffickers who seek to deceive migrants.

Mexico has been a crucial partner in finding solutions, including addressing the root causes of migration.
Ken Salazar

Among the measures announced is the opening of regional processing centers in Guatemala and Colombia, to facilitate access to legal channels without having to reach the US border. Access to the CBP One app for scheduling appointments will also be expanded and the number of refugees from the Americas will double.

Ambassador Salazar highlighted the importance of working with the governments of the region to address the root causes of migration, generate prosperity and opportunities in the communities of origin. In this regard, he mentioned the investment of almost 1.2 billion dollars in humanitarian assistance in the entire region last year and the Sembrando Vidas program in Honduras and El Salvador.

Those who enter the United States in violation of our immigration laws:

• They will not be eligible for access to legal migration channels.
  
• They will be removed from the country.
  
• They will be barred from entering the country for at least five years if they are ordered removed from the country.
  
• We will launch an aggressive anti-trafficking campaign targeting criminal networks.
  
• We will combat the misinformation of traffickers who seek to deceive migrants.
  

We will work with nations and governments to reach solutions on migrationfor example:

• The opening of regional processing centers to facilitate access to legal channels. This historic action will begin in Guatemala and Colombia. Migrants will be able to apply for legal pathways and not take the path to the US border.
  
• Expanded access to the application CBP One: Migrants will have access to the app to make an appointment and show up at a port of entry.
  
• New permit processes (parole) for family reunification, for citizens of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Colombia.
  
• We will double the number of refugees from the Americas.
  

We will work with the governments of the region to address the root causes of migration, generate prosperity and opportunities in the communities of origin:

• We invested in economic opportunity through the nearly $1.2 billion we provided in humanitarian assistance across the region last year.
  
• The United States and Mexico are working in Honduras and El Salvador to implement the Sembrando Vidas program.
  
• Vice President Kamala Harris has helped secure more than $4.2 billion in private sector commitments for northern Central America.

The Ambassador concluded his message by reiterating the commitment of the Joe Biden government to achieve an orderly, safe, and humane immigration system, and his willingness to continue working in collaboration with Mexico and the other countries in the region.