With President Barack Obama expected to request $1 billion in funds to aid Central America, U.S. Rep. Candice Miller (R-MI) said on Saturday that it’s time to stop giving money to countries that do more harm than good to the U.S.
“Unfortunately, Central America has a long history of bad economies and violence, but, as history has proven, simply throwing money at their problems will not make them go away, and it certainly hasn’t helped us,” Miller, who is chairman of the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, said. “We are not an ATM. In fact, we should stop giving them money altogether and even consider re-examining and perhaps repealing (the Central America Free Trade Agreement) until they get serious about helping us with their migration problem.”
The president is expected to ask for the funds for Central America as part of his 2016 budget announcement.
“Over the years, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras have received large amounts of U.S. foreign aid, and, in return, they have done little to nothing to help us stop the human and drug trafficking that derives from their countries and takes a toll on ours,” Miller, who is also vice chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, said. “What I don’t understand is why we continue to help countries that have no interest in helping us, or even themselves, which is why I was shocked to hear that the president intends on asking Congress for $1 billion dollars to help Central America with crime, corrupt government and failing economies.”
Miller recently co-sponsored the Secure Our Borders First Act, which would tighten control at U.S. land and maritime borders
“I recently traveled down to this nation’s Southwest border to see, firsthand, the vulnerabilities in our border security that have made it difficult for us to stop illegal immigration and activity across our border,” Miller said. “I met with federal agents, state troopers and local residents who talked about the challenges and dangers they face every day. While the House is currently working on a measure that will help us gain operational control of our borders, it is important that we remember that our border security problem isn’t simply because our fences are not high enough or long enough, it is also because the countries where most of the illegal activity originates, including those in Central America, have done little to help stop it.”