Kamala Harris, Guatemala, and what’s driving the migrant crisis

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris says, "Do not come. Do not come. The United States will continue to enforce our laws and secure our borders. If you come to our border, you will be turned back." She was speaking about migrants heading to the U.S. at a news conference with Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei in Guatemala City, Guatemala June 7, 2021.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris says, "Do not come. Do not come. The United States will continue to enforce our laws and secure our borders. If you come to our border, you will be turned back." She was speaking about migrants heading to the U.S. at a news conference with Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei in Guatemala City, Guatemala June 7, 2021. Photo by REUTERS/Carlos Barria TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Vice President Kamala Harris visited Central America this week. She told would-be migrants in Guatemala “do not come” (to the U.S.), which drew criticism from progressive democrats. Republicans and some democrats are arguing she should have visited the U.S. border to see the effects of a surge of migrants who’ve arrived in recent months.

Harris did announce tens of millions of dollars in support for Guatemala during her trip. Central American countries are struggling with poverty, gang violence, corruption, and devastation from a recent hurricane.

From this Episode:

Credits

Host:

Madeleine Brand

Producers:

Sarah Sweeney, Angie Perrin, Michell Eloy, Amy Ta, Rosalie Atkinson, Brian Hardzinski, Bennett Purser