U.S. Dep. Asst. Sec. Says Migration is a Regional Problem

Deputy Assistant Secretary Kerri Hannan of the U.S. State Department has been in Belize for the past few days. It is her first visit to the Jewel and while it was short-lived, Hannan’s schedule was packed. She called on Minister of Human Development Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, hosted a roundtable to celebrate pride month, as well as met with individuals in the fight against trafficking in persons. Belize has made significant strides in addressing human trafficking, but regionally it remains a human rights violation. Over the past year, migrants from Central America and the Caribbean have been using Belize as a transit point to the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary Hannan says that irregular migration is something that the U.S. continues to monitor.

Kerri Hannan

Kerri Hannan, Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. State Department

“Well first let me say thank you to Belize for co-hosting the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection Ministerial which is happening today, so good timing, and also to acknowledge that this administration has created more legal pathways for people to come to the United States. We want to address both irregular migration, the challenges that people face that are driving them to leave but also help focus on asylum and refugee status if that’s needed and also looking for lawful pathways. So we’re continuing to address migration which is not a United States problem; it is a regional problem. People are coming, they are staying in other countries and so we continue to look for ways to protect people who are on the move, encourage them to stay with economic incentives and to address the root causes that are causing the migration, but also to find legal pathways for people who do want to work in the United States.  Every person who chooses to migrate has their own personal story. I think what is important to note is that the United States has been working tirelessly – through the embassy in Belize, is just one example – to look for opportunities for Belizeans who want to start businesses or learn English, to stay put and contribute to their communities. It is a big wave that is happening right now. I think people are being pushed by economics, by safety, by the dream of what opportunity is. But having been here, for the few days that I have, I’ve seen a lot of opportunities here too.”