The Economist – Mexico City
US President Joe Biden is asking Congress to invest nearly $987 million in Central America and Haiti in 2023 to maintain “leadership” in the region, according to the budget project released Monday.
This budget, which covers the period between October 1st and September 30th, is submitted to Congress, which controls the government treasury. It is therefore subject to amendments for approval from both houses, in which the Democrats have a narrow majority.
In the Secondary Leadership section in Central America and Haiti, the President proposes targeting $986.8 million to be invested in those countries “as part of a broader strategy to drive systemic reforms while addressing the root causes of irregular migration,” reports the White House .
That amount is part of his $4 billion, four-year investment plan for Central America, where most undocumented immigrants who enter the United States or cross the border with Mexico in hopes of doing so come from.
The President suggests combining the aid with improving border security.
“The budget includes billions of dollars to secure the borders of the United States and enforce our immigration laws,” the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a statement, noting that the amount designated by the President for DHS has increased to 97, 3 billion amounts. from a total of 5.8 billion
The funds will be used “to upgrade port and border facilities, invest in technology, ensure the safe and humane treatment of migrants in DHS custody, and reduce the backlog of immigration cases.”
The budget will fund the hiring of 300 border guards and additional “law enforcement coordinators” that will allow agents to “focus on their core counterterrorism, law enforcement and security duties.”
Also included is the provision of $375 million to apply a new interim rule aimed at speeding up the processing of asylum claims and the immediate expulsion of “those who are not eligible” to receive asylum.
The proposed budget includes $20 million for the Family Reunification Task Force to identify and reunite the thousands of immigrant families who have been separated under the zero-tolerance policy of his Republican predecessor Donald Trump’s administration.
violence in Haiti
In Haiti, in response to “general violence,” the president is providing $274.8 million to “support reconstruction,” boost national police capabilities, fight corruption and strengthen civil society.
With this investment plan, the US government is setting three goals in the region: “to revitalize the associations that generate economic resilience, democratic stability and citizen security.”
Globally, fighting autocracies, one of Biden’s favorite issues, would cost more than $3.2 billion.
In line with commitments made during the Democracy Summit, she intends to use these funds to “promote democratization, protect universal human rights, strengthen anti-corruption work and strengthen programs that build inclusive, legitimate and effective governance.”
But eight American countries were excluded from that conclave in December: Venezuela, Nicaragua, Cuba, Bolivia, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Haiti.