The now frozen US Agency for International Development (USAID) is a key role when the Biden administration launched a strategy to tackle the “root causes” of migration at tropical borders during a rapidly rising and historic era of illegal immigration It has been fulfilled.
During the Biden administration, Vice President Kamala Harris was tasked with major Latin America’s diplomacy to address root causes identified as issues such as gang violence, climate change and poverty. It consisted of both government initiatives and funding from private organizations.
Recently, USAID, which was falsely frozen for concern, played an important role in fund distribution. Certain duties have been suspended to acquire a full photo of USAID funding for the region, but we can get a glimpse of the support provided.
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President Donald Trump will pump his fist to board the Air Force at Andrews’ joint base in Maryland on February 7, 2025 (Robert Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images)
In 2021, the first year of the Biden administration, USAID unveils Centroamérica Local, a five-year, $300 million initiative that funded organizations in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras to address the root causes of US migration I did.
“Under this new initiative, Centroamérica Local, USAID will invest up to $300 million, subject to fund availability, to promote sustainable and equitable economic growth, improve governance and combat corruption. The company plans to attract, strengthen and fund local organizations to implement the programme, USAID said in a statement at the time.
“These programs are implemented under the Biden-Harris administration’s root cause strategy, promoting greater engagement with local organizations and communities in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, and promoting advance stability in the region. We are achieving the goals of the institutions that do so.”
There should have been more coming.
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In 2022, USAID announced a program in Central America to end gender-based violence, including a $6.5 million program in Guatemala and a $2.7 million program in Honduras. We have built the programme announced at El Salvada All.
Last March, Harris met with Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo to announce a $135 million investment in USAID funds along with $170 million to support development, economic health and security assistance.
The announcement included an expansion of the Central American service squad created at the American Summit in 2022. The expanded program was funded by USAID and aimed to reach the 2,800 people found at the maximum risk of migration by being involved in volunteering, employment and training.
Guatemala also said it is a “Feed the Future” program implemented by USAID to expand agricultural technology and strengthen the capabilities of research and educational institutions to support research and education related to “climate smart” agriculture. It has been announced.
February 3, 2025, Flag outside the US International Development Headquarters in Washington, DC (Getty Images)
USAID was also to implement a new “Guatemala Biodiversity Conservation” programme to promote biodiversity conservation and strengthen protected areas and areas of ecological importance.
In September, USAID announced an additional $10.75 million in Guatemala funding.
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It came after USAID allegedly invested more than $153 million in Guatemala in 2023 to support the government in efforts to strengthen democracy and improve opportunities. The funded activities included “integrated rural and agricultural development, sustainable economic growth, support for the construction of climate-resistant infrastructure, digital development and e-government,” according to the release. I did.
Harris was chased by the title “Border Emperor” through his failed presidential bid, highlighting the root cause and instead focused on the Biden administration’s efforts to secure borders.
President Donald Trump’s administration has demonstrated skepticism of the root cause strategy by bringing border security and internal enforcement, as well as moves to cut or freeze funds overseas.
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In his first week of office, Trump repealed Biden’s 2021 executive order, saying, “Dealing with the causes of migration, managing migration across North and Central America, and making it safe and orderly for asylum seekers at the US border.” We have created a comprehensive local framework to provide processing.
He also rescinded an executive order to resettle refugees and restructure and strengthen programs to plan “the implications of climate change on migration.”
Adam Shaw is a political reporter for Fox News Digital, covering mainly immigration and border security.
He can be contacted at adam.shaw2@fox.com or on Twitter.
