Federal agency in DOGE’s crosshairs played key role in Harris’ strategy to curb migrant crisis

The Biden administration has launched a strategy to tackle the root causes of migration at the southern border during a time of rapidly rising and historic illegal immigration. This initiative was spearheaded by Vice President Kamala Harris, who was tasked with leading diplomacy in Latin America to address issues like gang violence, climate change, and poverty.

One key player in this effort was the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which played a significant role in distributing funds to address the root causes of migration. Despite recent concerns about misspending, USAID was instrumental in providing support to organizations in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.

In 2021, USAID announced Centroamérica Local, a 5-year, $300 million initiative aimed at engaging and strengthening local organizations to implement programs that promote sustainable economic growth, improve governance, fight corruption, protect human rights, enhance citizen security, and combat sexual and gender-based violence. This initiative was part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Root Causes Strategy to foster stability in the region.

Subsequent programs in Central America focused on ending gender-based violence, with investments in Guatemala and Honduras totaling millions of dollars. Additional funding was announced for various initiatives, including a program to strengthen research and education related to agriculture and biodiversity conservation.

Despite USAID’s efforts, the root causes strategy faced skepticism from the Trump administration, which prioritized border security and interior enforcement. President Trump rescinded executive orders related to addressing the causes of migration and resettling refugees, signaling a shift in priorities.

As Vice President Harris navigated the challenges of addressing root causes while facing criticism for the administration’s approach to border security, USAID continued to play a vital role in providing support to address the underlying issues driving migration from Central America. While the future of these initiatives remains uncertain, the focus on tackling root causes remains a key component of the Biden administration’s approach to immigration and border security.