Harris warns Guatemala migrants against illegally entering US

 In her first overseas trip since taking office as Vice President of United States of America, Kamala Harris urged future migrants from Guatemala not to try entering US illegally. She said that travelling up north is dangerous and only would benefit people smugglers.

VP Harris has been tasked by President Joe Biden to handle the massive influx of migrants at America’s southern border. Harris is working on finding the solutions to root causes of the migrant crisis including corruption and lack of economic opportunities in countries of origin.

During her first foreign trip, Harris stood at news conference along with Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammatte when she warned against illegal migration to US saying, “Do not come. Do not come. The United States will continue to enforce our laws and secure our borders.” She added, “If you come to our border, you will be turned back.”

Harris added that she wants US and Guatemalan governments to work together and find solutions to long standing migrant problem in the region. She said that people must be given “hope that help is on the way”. “It must be coupled with relationships of trust. It must be coupled with tangible outcomes, in terms of what we do as leaders to convince people that there is a reason to be hopeful about their future and the future of their children,” Ms. Harris added.

Guatemalan President Giammatte defended his government’s efforts in tackling the migration issue. He added that tackling drug trafficking should be a key component to handle the crisis. He also announced setting up of a new processing centre for migrants sent back by US and Mexico.

Extending support to Guatemala that has been hard hit by ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, Vice President Harris announced that US would send 500,000 Covid-19 vaccines to the country and also provide aid of $26m to help Guatemala fight pandemic.