Congressman Lankford’s Office
Over Labor Day weekend, Congressman James Lankford led a bipartisan group of House Members to El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras to gain a first-hand perspective of the circumstances facing families in Central America who choose to send their children on the dangerous journey to the United States via the southern border.
“By far, the largest number of illegal immigrants in the United States comes from four countries: Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras,” said Lankford.
“If we can solve the illegal immigration problems from those four nations, we can largely solve illegal immigration in our nation. Over the four-day, fact-finding mission abroad, I met with local government leaders, U.S. government officials, faith leaders and individual citizens. I also took a close look at the facilities, processes and methods these nations use to reunite children with their families when they return.”
For decades American taxpayers have poured aid for security, education and economic development into Central America. Hurricanes, earthquakes and civil wars have ravaged that region since 1980, pushing migrant workers to the United States to provide for their families. Now, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras each raise from 10-18 percent of their total economy from money sent by family members working in the United States, and more than 60 percent of those family members are here illegally.
Mexico currently deports ten times as many people back to Central America compared to the United States. The U.S. government created radio and television spots to let parents know that their children cannot stay in the United States. But if those children reach the United States, less than 10% are actually returned. So, the verbal message sent by our nation does not match the reality on the ground.
“The House’s border security funding proposal passed on August 1st, provides for expedited due process and the immediate return of unaccompanied minor children back to their home countries,” continued Lankford. “We must ensure we solve our border security issues from the beginning of the process to the end. The countries our delegation visited this weekend told us they want their children back. It is our duty to ensure we treat their children with the respect and dignity we expect other nations to show American citizens when on foreign soil. We were able to meet with government leaders in these three Central American nations to reassure them that their children have compassionate care and that we will work for their safe return.
“The United States has a vital interest in this region, and it is essential that we bring solutions to illegal immigration while also maintaining a good international relationship with these nations,” concluded Lankford.
