WASHINGTON, D.C. – At Tuesday morning’s Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing, Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) questioned Dr. Andrew Selee, President of the Migration Policy Institute, about recent actions by the Trump Administration to cut humanitarian aid to Central America that have the potential to undermine U.S. influence in the region and exacerbate the humanitarian crisis at the border.
“Over the last several years, the U.S. has provided millions of dollars in foreign aid to support community-based crime and violence programs which aim to provide services to youth who are at particular risk of being not only victims but also recruited by gangs and other criminal groups. The programs have sought to work with communities to build resilience in high-crime, urban communities by improving access to public services, jobs, and access to justice institutions. How will cutting aid to programs like these impact the situation on the ground — including violence and impunity– that motivate people to make the dangerous journey to the U.S.?” asked Senator Rosen.
BACKGROUND: Full video of this exchange is available here.
