To the Editor:
Re “Trump Directs State Dept. to End Aid to 3 Central American Countries” (nytimes.com, March 30):
President Trump’s decision to cut off aid to El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras is the worst and most counterproductive decision that could possibly be made to deal with the immigration situation on our southern border.
I served as an officer in the Agency for International Development’s Alliance for Progress program in Latin America under President John F. Kennedy in the 1960s. The program’s economic, social and humanitarian assistance was instrumental in improving the economies, health, education and safety of those peoples. It gave them hope and reason to remain in their countries rather than seek a better life elsewhere.
Our aid to Central America is intended to achieve precisely the same goals. Large-scale immigration from Central America is caused by uncontrolled gang violence, crime and corruption in those countries. Without our assistance, these conditions will grow only worse and lead to more suffering and more immigration.
Michael D. Butterman
Miami
The writer, a lawyer, does pro bono immigration work.
Source: Read Full Article
Home » Analysis & Comment » Opinion | Cut Aid to Central America?
Opinion | Cut Aid to Central America?
To the Editor:
Re “Trump Directs State Dept. to End Aid to 3 Central American Countries” (nytimes.com, March 30):
President Trump’s decision to cut off aid to El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras is the worst and most counterproductive decision that could possibly be made to deal with the immigration situation on our southern border.
I served as an officer in the Agency for International Development’s Alliance for Progress program in Latin America under President John F. Kennedy in the 1960s. The program’s economic, social and humanitarian assistance was instrumental in improving the economies, health, education and safety of those peoples. It gave them hope and reason to remain in their countries rather than seek a better life elsewhere.
Our aid to Central America is intended to achieve precisely the same goals. Large-scale immigration from Central America is caused by uncontrolled gang violence, crime and corruption in those countries. Without our assistance, these conditions will grow only worse and lead to more suffering and more immigration.
Michael D. Butterman
Miami
The writer, a lawyer, does pro bono immigration work.
Source: Read Full Article