Lowey statement at hearing on U.S. engagement in Central America

Assistant Secretary Brownfield, Deputy Assistant Secretary Palmieri, and Acting Assistant Administrator Hogan, I join Chairwoman Granger in welcoming you today.

The news is often dominated by the devastating war in Syria and the resulting refugee crisis engulfing the Middle East and much of Europe.  At the same time, but with less attention, we face another deplorable humanitarian tragedy in our own hemisphere.

Horrific levels of violence, abject poverty, and weak government institutions plague the countries of Central America.  Half of the populations live in poverty, and 30-40 percent is underemployed.  Last year, El Salvador surpassed Honduras with the world’s highest homicide rate - a 70% increase over 2014 levels - and has the highest concentration of gang members per capita in the region.

In Honduras, the military police continue to eclipse civilian police in most law enforcement operations, despite a long history of impunity and abuse by the military against civilians.

In Guatemala, a shameless tax fraud scandal robbed the Guatemala people of millions of dollars and finally led to the President’s resignation.  Yet the country is now led by an inexperienced former comedian with questionable ties to ex-military officials.  

It’s little wonder that more than 70,000 unaccompanied minors tried to flee these three countries and cross into the U.S. during the summer of 2014, and why the numbers of children and families apprehended at our southwest border increased this past fall and winter, a time when numbers typically decrease.

Until the underlying conditions driving migration change, I fear desperate Central Americans will continue to believe that fleeing to the United States is not any more dangerous or uncertain than staying home. 

That’s why we have a clear national security interest as well as a moral obligation to address this crisis.  There was broad, bipartisan support for substantially increasing assistance to the region in last year’s omnibus, which is an important first step.  Now we must allocate the resources wisely and prioritize good governance, the rule of law, education, job creation, and citizen security.   Our response cannot rely solely on U.S. immigration enforcement efforts or those by our Mexican partners. 

I hope your testimonies will detail how the U.S. will scale up programs in the region and address what can realistically be accomplished this year. 

Additionally, I hope you will comment on what progress the three countries have made since announcing their Alliance for Prosperity Plan?

When will we see measureable results on security, justice reform, corruption, and tax collection?

I also hope you will address deeply concerning accounts by human rights groups and local media of corruption, human trafficking, and other abuses against those apprehended and deported. 

To what extent are you working with the Mexican government to increase humanitarian assistance and migrant protection?  Are your efforts including rehabilitation services in the three countries?

This refugee crisis is caused by dehumanizing levels of poverty, violence, gang activity, and failed governments.  Congress and the Administration must work together in a bipartisan manner to build partners on the ground, empower civil society, protect human rights, and defeat criminals.

I believe this can be achieved, but it is going to take leadership, vigilance, and wise allocation of resources.  I look forward to your testimonies.