Exploring Central American Migration
Over the years, the rise in Central Americans coming to the United States from the Northern Triangle countries of Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador has become a flashpoint in American politics. In 2014, immigration issues arose during the Obama Administration with the surge of unaccompanied minors, then again during the Trump Administration with the separation of family units at the southern border. Now with the Biden presidency, the backlog of asylum seekers and prospective immigrants hoping for a more accepting environment, has led to another influx of non-sanctioned border crossings creating a potential humanitarian crisis. Terrible as it might seem, this offers a chance to rework the immigration system, and develop one that is more humane and acknowledges the plight of those who feel the need to abandon their countries.
How many migrants are entering the U.S.?
During the month of February, around 100,000 migrant apprehensions took place at the border of which more than 70% have been single adults. This maintains an increase since the beginning of April 2020. The vast majority of individuals (family units and adults) have been turned away due to Title 42, a statute that gives the president broad immigration powers during times of emergency such as the Covid-19 pandemic. Its implementation was controversial during the Trump Administration and it continues to draw criticism for the Biden Administration.
By and large, what has captured the American attention is the jump in unaccompanied minors encountered at the border. In February, apprehensions of minors increased to more than 15,000. Many are children who have to be housed and cared for by the Department of Health and Human Services, since they do not have relatives in the United States. This rapid inflow has resulted in overcrowded detention facilities and calls for swift reform from policymakers. With no shift in trends, the U.S. is on pace to surpass the nearly 980,000 total number of encounters reached in 2019.
Why are these individuals leaving their countries?
The International Migration Organization conducted a rapid survey of Salvadoran migrants in 2018. They found that 52% of individuals cited economic opportunity as the main reason for them making this treacherous journey, another 18% spoke of escaping from violence, and 2% wanted to reunify with family. The remaining 28% said their decision to leave their country stemmed from a combination of these reasons. For many migrants, their opportunity for economic advancement was severely limited in the wake of two major hurricanes in late 2020.
Torrential rains and mudslides from Hurricane Eta and Iota dismantled roads, houses, and precious coffee bean fields leaving communities without a major source of income. Residents were subsequently forced to evacuate, since their homes lay in ruin. Some of the recent increase in migration seen since April is due to changing seasons. Traveling into the U.S. during the cooler winter and spring months is practical since the cool temperatures make it easier to traverse the harsh desert terrain of the U.S.-Mexico border. However, the storms and the seasons are only two reasons out of many. Around half of the population of Salvadorans (47%), Guatemalans (56%), and Hondurans (52%) are under the age of 25. This prime working age group is growing faster than the available jobs in their respective countries. To these young people, it makes perfect sense to seek opportunity in a country with a more stable economy.
Escaping violence was the second highest reason for migration. All three countries by some measure, rank in the top ten for murder rates. International gangs like Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and other gangs related to drug trafficking are believed to be the leading cause. Along with the violence, comes corruption, as nearly 20% of Hondurans and Guatemalans reported paying bribes in 2019. A nurse Alejandra, whose uncle was killed in Guatemala for refusing to pay extortion, gave up her career to flee after her life was threatened.
The problem of corruption is ingrained into the politics of these countries. For example in Honduras, corruption has been directly linked to the president Juan Orlando Hernández, who was implicated as a co-conspirator in a federal drug trafficking case. While in Guatemala, the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) had been making progress over the years, but the former Guatemalan president Jimmy Morales, who was under investigation for corruption, ended the program in 2019. The newly elected president, Alejandro Giammattei, has yet to renew the program. El Salvador’s young president, Nayib Bukele has made rooting out corruption his top priority and fully acknowledges the failures of government. His party won 75% of the congressional seats in February 2021, so it remains to be seen if his new political power will lead to results, but the people of El Salvador are hopeful.
How is the U.S. responding?
In the immediate time frame, the U.S. has been rapidly expanding its housing for minors. The Biden Administration has opened additional facilities in Donna Texas, repurposed the San Diego Convention Center, and made agreements with military bases like Fort Bliss, all to address the issue of the rise in unaccompanied minors. Moreover, Vice President Harris has been assigned the task of reducing immigration, and the administration has already sent envoys to Mexico and Guatemala to ask for help slowing the flow of migrants.
From Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas:
In the end, with ever present government corruption in the Northern Triangle, sending financial aid becomes a complex solution, but the will to do better is clear with this new administration.
What can you do about Central Americans migrating to the U.S.?
If you have the financial resources, donate to the American Bar Association Council on Immigration, Southwest Key, or several other organizations. If you’re an individual with limited income, you can continue to seek information as with this article, share what you’ve learned, and speak out on the issue to combat misconceptions. Ultimately, you can vote for candidates who not only want to improve outdated immigration laws, but also want to create a social and economic environment that is welcoming to new immigrants. There are no easy solutions to these complicated problems. Many everyday citizens would prefer to ignore these issues, especially if it does not involve their well-being. However, standing up for human rights is essential to a functioning society. Progress on immigration can be made through this collective effort and by supporting reform.
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