Rep. Miller on President's $1 Billion Request for Central America

Statement

Today, U.S. Representative Candice Miller (MI-10), Vice Chair of the House Homeland Security Committee and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, issued the following statement ahead of the President's 2016 budget request to be released Monday, which will include a request to Congress for $1 billion to aid Central America:

"I recently traveled down to this nation's Southwest border to see, firsthand, the vulnerabilities in our border security that have made it difficult for us to stop illegal immigration and activity across our border. I met with federal agents, state troopers and local residents who talked about the challenges and dangers they face every day. While the House is currently working on a measure that will help us gain operational control of our borders, it is important that we remember that our border security problem isn't simply because our fences are not high enough or long enough, it is also because the countries where most of the illegal activity originates, including those in Central America, have done little to help stop it.

"Over the years, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras have received large amounts of U.S. foreign aid, and, in return, they have done little to nothing to help us stop the human and drug trafficking that derives from their countries and takes a toll on ours. What I don't understand, is why we continue to help countries that have no interest in helping us, or even themselves, which is why I was shocked to hear that the President intends on asking Congress for $1billion dollars to help Central America with crime, corrupt government and failing economies.

"In an article outlining the request, Vice President Joe Biden says, "if the political will exists, there is no reason Central America cannot become the next great success story of the Western Hemisphere.' What about the millions of hardworking Americans that are struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table or pay tuition? Shouldn't we focus on making them the next success story?

"Unfortunately, Central America has a long history of bad economies and violence, but, as history has proven, simply throwing money at their problems will not make them go away, and it certainly hasn't helped us. We are not an ATM. In fact, we should stop giving them money altogether and even consider reexamining and perhaps repealing CAFTA until they get serious about helping us with their migration problem.

Source