US Secretary of Defense signs agreement in Costa Rica to address immigration

This content was published on March 16, 2022 – 04:01
March 16, 2022 – 04:01

(AFP)

The Secretary of National Security of the United States, Alejandro Mallorcas, signed Tuesday in Costa Rica a cooperation agreement to counter migration flows in the region, according to an official statement.

The Costa Rican government stated that “the document seeks to strengthen the fight against migrant smuggling and human trafficking, and to explore options for strengthening existing programs for the integration of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees.”

“This agreement talks about possibilities (…) and possibilities become realities when we invest in people. We create opportunities and development paths for people to realize their dreams of a better life,” Mayorcas said.

“We hope to sign these agreements throughout the region,” he added.

Costa Rica is a transit country for migrants who move from south to north on their way to the United States.

“It is necessary to address (the issue of migration) from a multidimensional point of view (…), recognizing that it is affected by many things: climate change, insecurity, lack of opportunities and education,” said the Costa Rican president. , Carlos Alvarado, who met Mallorcas.

The agreement seeks to “expand international assistance from donors and multilateral institutions to finance” countries that largely host migrants and refugees.

“We chose Costa Rica as the first partner and friend to sign this important agreement to lead it on matters that affect the region, and frankly the world,” Mallorcas explained.

The official arrived in San Jose after visiting Mexico, where he met with President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

Mexican authorities insisted on the need to invest in Central America and create greater opportunities that would prevent the population from emigrating.

In recent years, the influx of undocumented foreigners has doubled, while Washington has tightened its immigration policies.

The administration of Democrat Joe Biden has made the passage of migrants seeking asylum more flexible, but a judge has ordered the reinstatement of a program launched by former Republican President Donald Trump that forces applicants to wait in Mexico for a response from the United States.

According to the United Nations, in 2021, nearly a million Mexicans and Central Americans fled their countries due to violence, lack of opportunity, climate change and devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.