Congressional Hispanic Caucus Statement on the Trump Administration Considering Sending Mexican Asylum-Seekers to Guatemala

WASHINGTON — Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) and Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), the only Central American serving in Congress and Chair of the Central American Caucus, issued the following statements after the Trump Administration confirmed it is weighing the possibility of sending Mexican asylum-seekers to Guatemala. As part of an asylum deal between the U.S. and Guatemala, the U.S. started sending asylum-seekers from Honduras and El Salvador to Guatemala late last month. Now, the Trump Administration is considering including Mexican asylum-seekers in the asylum deal with Guatemala.

Statement from CHC Chairman Castro:

"I strongly condemn the Trump Administration's cruel and illegal policies to discourage families from seeking asylum at our southern border. These policies have inflicted unimaginable pain and trauma on vulnerable asylum-seekers that are fleeing desperate circumstances and seeking a better life for their children and families. This Administration has stranded nearly 50,000 families seeking asylum in dangerous Mexican border cities and started sending Honduran and Salvadorans fleeing desperation to Guatemala. The proposal to expand this policy to asylum-seekers from other countries, especially Mexico, must be condemned. The conditions in Guatemala, including high crime rates, organized violence, government corruption and an inadequate asylum system, means this proposed policy will put in danger the very same families that came to our U.S. border seeking protection.

"Let's be clear, this is purely an attempt to stop Mexican and other families from seeking safety at our border. A move of this kind, coupled with ‘Remain in Mexico', metering and the Third-Country Transit Bar would virtually block all asylum-seekers from being able to seek refuge in our country. It stands in opposition to our nation's principles and values and undermines our nation's moral credibility, especially in Latin America. We cannot allow the Trump Administration to continue eroding our asylum system while thousands of migrant families and children pay the price. I urge my colleagues and the American people to denounce this cruel and unjustifiable proposal to send Mexican and other asylum-seekers to Guatemala."

Statement from Congresswoman Norma J. Torres:

"The Trump Administration continues to expand its ‘Safe Third Country' policies despite all evidence pointing to the catastrophic impact they will have. To make matters worse, Trump is rushing this deal through before Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales leaves office in a few weeks, and before the incoming president can object. I am appalled at Trump's cutthroat deal-making that jettisons American leadership and thrusts the challenges we face onto other, woefully unprepared, nations."

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The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), founded in December 1976, is organized as a Congressional Member organization, governed under the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives. The CHC is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanics in the United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories.