A needed shift for Central America 

January 13, 2016

 

The $750 million recently appropriated to the Central American countries that make up the Northern Triangle signals a welcome change in how this country deals with a flood of migrants from the region.

The U.S. strategy has been to detain and deport families and minors, though pressure did succeed in forcing the release of many families. A federal judge has said the first is not being done legally and the second occurs, though it’s clear those targeted were not savvy enough to navigate the system. It was due process in name only, say immigrant advocates.

The administration had requested $1 billion for El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, the countries whose parents have been sending their children to avoid gang violence, the general absence of rule of law, and a lack of education and opportunity.

The House approved a bit more than the $294 million previously appropriated to the region. The Senate also came in with far less than the amount eventually approved. Then came news of the latest influx — more than 10,000 from Central America between October and November, according to a recent article by Bill Lambrecht of the Hearst Washington Bureau.

Congress approved $750 million, with strings attached — judicial reform, more professional police, battling corruption and human smuggling, and educating people to the many perils of migrating. Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth, who chairs a key appropriations subcommittee, played a role in this shift to a strategy advocated also by Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, who, too, is on the appropriations committee.

Much of the money won’t be released unless conditions are met. Failure of dysfunctional governments to comply fully should not force this country to throw up its hands. Treating the root causes is the only humanely effective way to get at this problem.

The $750 million signals a change in another way. More than two-thirds is for development and economic assistance rather than for dealing mostly with law enforcement and drug trafficking. This is far more effective than punishing people fleeing violence. And more than $750 million is needed.

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