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Schakowsky statement on the caravan of Honduran refugees

October 18, 2018

Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Chief Deputy Whip and member of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, released the following statement on the caravan of Honduran refugees heading towards the United States and President Trump’s support of Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez:

“Thousands of Honduran refugees, fleeing dire economic straits and a repressive, anti-democratic President are braving the unspeakable dangers of a trans-national trip from Central America to the United States. These people have faced the worst of the worst – gang violence, economic desperation, natural disasters, extreme poverty, and in some cases, state-sanctioned violence and intimidation. President Juan Orlando Hernandez’s corrupt government has made what was already an uphill climb for impoverished Hondurans impossibly steep. President Trump and the State Department have supported his government every step of the way, even going against the will of the Organization of American States to legitimize his illegitimate election.

“Instead of admitting some responsibility in creating the violent situation in Honduras, President Trump is yet again scapegoating immigrants and refugees. He is painting a picture of this migrant caravan as a threat to our national security instead of the desperate group of refugees that they are. We should be supporting these people, and refugees around the world, by opening our doors to them and increasing our already too low refugee admissions cap. Instead, President Trump is now threatening to militarize our border and cut off aid to Honduras over this caravan. We should have cut off military aid to Honduras a long time ago, but for very different reasons. Their complete disregard for worker rights, indigenous rights, and individual freedoms are unacceptable in an ally of the United States. The Berta Caceres Human Rights in Honduras Act, a bill which I proudly cosponsor, would immediately suspend U.S. arming and training of the Honduran military and police until human rights defenders are protected and security forces are prosecuted for flagrant human rights violations.

“The migrant caravan struggling toward our border is a direct result of Juan Orlando Hernandez’s anti-democratic regime. We must support these refugees and stop turning a blind eye to Hernandez’s repression and violence.”