House Democrats propose reinstating aid to Central America

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

JUNE 21, 2019 / 2:50 PM / UPDATED 7 HOURS AGO
Susan Cornwell
3 MIN READ

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Democrats in the House of Representatives on Friday proposed reinstating hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras that was cut off by the Trump administration because thousands of their citizens sought asylum at the U.S. border with Mexico.

The proposal was tucked into a bill to provide $4.5 billion in humanitarian assistance to address the surge of migrants at the southern U.S. border. Republican President Donald Trump has sought that funding for U.S. programs that house, feed, transport and oversee the record numbers of Central American families seeking asylum and straining capacity at migrant shelters in U.S. border cities.

But the Trump administration cut aid to the three Central American countries earlier this week after Trump expressed unhappiness with their immigration policies. Congressional aides said the administration told them some $550 million in aid would be reallocated or suspended.

Democratic lawmakers have said it was cruel to slash aid to countries that are grappling with hunger and crime, and that the move would be counterproductive because it would more likely increase the number of migrants than decrease it. The House bill would require the administration to spend the money, which Congress has already approved.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-aid/house-democrats-propose-reinstating-aid-to-central-america-idUSKCN1TM2KV?rpc=401&

[Nitram]

1. It is about time. The U.S has always undermined democracy in Central America in favor of U.S.

corporate interests there. Democracy and communism were both perceived as threats to corporate profits. It is in time we recognized that stable governments and economies south of the border are in our best interests. Not to mention the fact that our values supposedly support democracy and human rights.

[Midnight Writer]

2. This would be a lot cheaper than our current border strategy.

Funny how the President promises to jumpstart the North Korean economy, but wants to starve our neighbors and friends.