Photo: DAVID SWANSON / EFE
President Joe Biden highlighted the importance of facing challenges what immigration means and recognized that people leave their countries because they have no options, but qualified irregular immigration as “unacceptable”.
Warned that the agreement that is expected to be announced this week at the Summit of the Americas will seek to apply “the law” and “secure the borders.”
“Illegal migration is unacceptable”, said the US president in the opening speech of the event at the Microsoft Theater. “And we will secure our borders, including through innovative and coordinated actions with our regional partners.”
Immigration was one of the central themes of Biden’s speech, who spoke of the economic challenges in the region, the backwardness of certain populations and the need to attend to them, to prevent them from leaving their countries.
“All these factors are contributing to a large increase in migratory flows throughout our hemisphere, with too many people who feel they have no option available to support themselves and their families,” he acknowledged.
The president acknowledged that for months, several countries have made important commitments on immigration, but the US seeks to contribute to it.
“In the months leading up to this summit, countries have made significant and concrete commitments to address these challenges. And the United States is also trying to do its part,” he said.
Brian Nichols, Undersecretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs of the State Department, had advanced about an immigration declaration to be announced on Thursday, but President Biden said it would be on Friday.
“On Friday, we will also meet to…launch the Declaration of Los Angeles, a new innovative and integrated approach to manage migration and share responsibility throughout the hemisphere”, he stated.
The plan will seek to invest in regional solutions to improve stability and increase opportunities for a “safe and orderly migration” through the region.
“And that strong measures be taken against the criminal trafficking of persons that is they take advantage of desperate people,” said Biden, who received applause when pointing out the latter.
The The Biden administration faces severe criticism from Republicans, mainly because of its immigration policy and the situation on the border with Mexico, something that could have a negative impact on the midterm elections for Republicans.
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