FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2021

CONTACT:
Fernanda Durand | (214) 402-0186 | fernanda@communicationsshop.us
Nancy Treviño | (786) 201-8958 | media@presente.org

POTUS and Mexican President Lopez Obrador Must Protect Human Rights as Vice President Harris Visits Mexico

CHICAGO –– Upon Vice President Harris’ arrival to Mexico as part of her first foreign trip to address the root causes of migration from Central America and Mexico, Alianza Americas, Presente.org, and Red Mexicana issued an open letter addressed to President Biden and Mexican President Lopez Obrador with a set of recommendations that address human mobility and migration, trade relations, temporary worker programs, indigenous communities, the protection of human rights, among others.

“We know that some of the root causes of forced migration include economic inequality and systemic violence in Central America and Mexico. As Vice President Harris meets with Mexican President Lopez Obrador they must ensure that the human rights of migrants are protected as they are forced to leave their home countries. Central American nations and Mexico must guarantee access to quality jobs, education, housing, and healthcare in order for families to thrive in their home countries, and also recognize human mobility and migration as a human right. We share our recommendations as civil society leaders who are invested in the well being of migrants living in the United States and across the Americas,” stated Claudia Lucero of Red Mexicana.

“As Vice President Harris embarks on the next leg of her trip to address the root causes of migration from Central America and Mexico, we are disappointed by her statements telling people from the region “Do not come.” This is a message that will hardly address the factors that are behind why people are fleeing Central American countries and Mexico. In our open letter to President Biden and Mexican President Lopez Obrador we detail some of the root causes that contribute to people migrating from their home countries seeking a better life, and recommendations for how to tackle this humanitarian issue. We urge the U.S. and Mexican governments to work alongside civil society organizations to enact innovative solutions that will lead to the improvement of lives in Mexico and the U.S.,” stated Oscar Chacon, executive director of Alianza Americas.

“Unfortunately, Vice President Harris’ first foreign trip to Central America and Mexico to address the root causes of migration will be marked by the words ‘Do not come.’ We expect better from the Biden-Harris administration and call on them to find more truly innovative and humane ways to address the root causes of forced migration. We need a comprehensive human rights approach to tackle this humanitarian issue and voices of grassroots leaders must be taken into account. We are honored to join Alianza Americas and Red Mexicana in providing recommendations for President Biden and President Lopez Obrador that envision a path towards a better future for families in Mexico and the U.S.,” stated Matt Nelson, executive director of Presente.org.

As Vice President Harris continues her mission to Mexico Alianza Americas, Presente.org, and Red Mexicana have issued these recommendations for President Biden and Mexican President Lopez Obrador.

As human rights organizations, we are willing and able to amplify on each of these recommendations, as well as to add new ones as this process moves forward. We are also prepared to contribute to the implementation of these recommendations with the Biden-Harris administration, the Lopez Obrador administration, and in partnership with civil society organizations in Mexico. We need new innovative approaches to address the root causes of migration in a way that promotes the essential pillars of strengthening family unity and stronger mechanisms for humanitarian protection acknowledging the fundamentally positive impact of migration in the USA, in Central American nations, and Mexico, as well as the human dignity of all people in the region.

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Presente.org is the nation’s largest online Latinx organizing group — and the nation’s premier Latinx digital organizing hub — advancing social justice with technology, media, and culture. Build Power. Change Culture. ¡Stay Presente!

Alianza Americas is a network of migrant-led organizations working in the United States and transnationally to create an inclusive, equitable and sustainable way of life for communities across North, Central and South America.

Red Mexicana is a Mexican network that connects migrant leaders and migrant-led organizations in the United State for coordinated advocacy and education in support of the wellbeing of Mexican communities everywhere.