[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 132 (Friday, August 2, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1026]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





     IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 2615, THE UNITED STATES-NORTHERN TRIANGLE 
                       ENHANCEMENT ENGAGMENT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 2, 2019

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 
2615, the ``United States-Northern Triangle Enhancement Engagement 
Act.''
  H.R. 2615 supports the people of Central America and strengthens 
United States national security by addressing the root causes of 
migration from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.
  H.R. 2615 will provide reports on drivers of migration from the 
Northern Triangle to the United States and will identify methods for 
the United States to strengthen fragile democracies in the region.
  Thousands of immigrants flee the Northern Triangle to seek asylum and 
refuge in the United States of America.
  The number of asylum seekers worldwide originating from the Northern 
Triangle reached 110,000 in 2015, a five-fold increase from 2012.
  Poverty, corrupt police forces, gang violence, political corruption, 
and economic instability exacerbate living conditions in the Northern 
Triangle.
  Homicide rates are extremely high for Central American countries; El 
Salvador is leading the way with a rate of 82.84 per 100,000 persons.
  Salvadorans, Hondurans, and Guatemalans leave their homes in search 
of physical security, democracy, freedom, and civil liberties.
  They look toward the U.S. as a beacon of hope and prosperity, often 
traveling miles while battling hardships and risks to pursue the 
American Dream.
  This bill seeks to combat corruption among political institutions in 
the region to reinforce security and lead to the development of civil 
society.
  We must address the origins and the structural causes of migration to 
address the issues that lead to mass migration to our southern borders.
  Our agencies are unequipped and are incapable of meeting the demand 
of sheltering and processing immigrants who arrive at our ports of 
entry.
  Our nation's security depends on the stability of the Northern 
Triangle.
  We must act to ensure that the countries in this region return to a 
functioning democracy, free of corruption and violence.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 
2615 to assist in reestablishing democratic and peaceful societies in 
the countries of the Northern Triangle.

                          ____________________