April 15, 2020
U.S. to allocate more than $66 million in assistance to El Salvador
The Trump Administration announced the allocation of $66 million in foreign assistance to strengthen the capacity of El Salvador to improve security, to promote prosperity, to help reintegrate their returnee population to productive life, and to protect vulnerable populations.
With these funds, the U.S. government’s programs will focus on continuing to improve security conditions in the country, strengthening private sector initiatives aimed at generating economic opportunity, implementing programs that encourage joint efforts between the two countries to reduce illegal immigration into the United States from El Salvador; implementing the Asylum Cooperation Agreement (ACA), and providing vital and critical assistance to the country, among others. The State Department and USAID will meet all requirements set by Congress and complete any remaining requirements that may be necessary prior to the execution of the funds and will notify Congress in the coming weeks or months.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo recognized El Salvador’s efforts to combat illegal migration. The country, which signed an Asylum Cooperation Agreement with the U.S. in 2019, has proved to be a key partner in reducing illegal migrants on the southern border. Secretary Pompeo added that arrests of Salvadoran, Guatemalan and Honduran migrants have decreased by 76 percent since the humanitarian and security crisis on the southern border peaked in May 2019. In the case of El Salvador, the flow has fallen by 71% to date compared to the same period last year.
“The United States commends the commitment of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras to achieve our shared goal of reducing illegal immigration from these countries to the United States. We look forward to continuing this important work with our partners in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras at the same time that we help them build a safe and prosperous future for their citizens in their countries of origin,” said Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo in an official statement to the media.
