Sister Cities’ statement on US policy towards migrants
U.S.- El Salvador Sister Cities deplores the current demonization of Salvadoran immigrants as inhumane and racist. While the Trump Administration’s approach to immigration is particularly abhorrent, both major parties have been guilty of the longstanding anti-immigrant policies towards Central Americans.
We recognize that migration of Central Americans to the United States has many causes for individuals and families. But we also must recognize that United States’ domination of the region dating back to the Monroe doctrine has treated these countries as quasi-colonies with disastrous consequences for its peoples. In our era, the forced migration of Salvadorans to this country is a direct outgrowth of the devastation of their country by our support for a military regime responsible for the disappearances, deaths and wholesale massacres of over 80,000 Salvadorans. These have included many from the communities with whom we are sistered.
Our own country’s refusal to acknowledge our own responsibility for this mass displacement of Salvadorans has consigned them to undocumented rather than the asylum status they merited.
(Consider by way of political contrast that virtually all of the 400,000 Cuban emigrants who arrived at our shore in the 60’s were granted refugee status by virtue of our designating the Cuban government an “oppressive regime”)
The dynamics pushing forced migration have continued to be fueled in the post-war period by U.S. policies that drive Salvadorans from their homeland. For example:
a. Imposition and Incentives for Free Trade and Privatization Policies that have deepened economic, ecological, social and food insecurity, threatened water supplies and undermined sustainable agricultural and local industry;
b. Systematic Mass Deportation of Salvadorans who had fled El Salvador due to the consequences of US military and economic policy leading to an increase in Salvadoran unemployment and the explosion of gang violence, born originally in poor urban communities in the U.S. and repatriated to El Salvador.
c. Denial of asylum claims and paths to permanent legalization for Salvadorans from the time of the war to the current period, violating international law and bringing further injury to those fleeing violence in their homeland.
d. The unchecked, unregulated flow of US-made weapons to El Salvador, facilitating social violence that drives people out of their homes.
The United States cannot have it both ways in El Salvador: imposing a foreign policy that drives people from their homes and an immigration policy that criminalizes people as they flee in search of safety and sustenance for their families.
We stand with our Salvadoran sisters and brothers, who have shared with us friendship, solidarity, inspiration and organization for over 30 years.
We specifically declare our support for Salvadoran youth, who are being demonized in racist rhetoric intended to dehumanize them.
We demand an end to a U.S. foreign policy that undermines opportunities for most Salvadorans to live in peace and prosperity at home.
Instead of financing militarism and corporate free trade policies in Central America, we call on the US government to establish a reconstruction fund to match the billions of dollars of US military aid sent to destroy Central America in the 1980’s and 90’s.
And we demand an end to immigration policies that criminalize those arriving at our Southern border in need of safety and solidarity.
Specifically, we call on the US government to provide a permanent path to citizenship for the hundreds of thousands of Salvadorans currently without a secure immigration status, including the more than 200,000 Salvadorans currently threatened with deportation at the expiration of their Temporary Protected Status in September 2019.
We call on all people of good will in the United States in joining us to call for a humane policy towards those who arrive at our borders.
No Wall
No Family Detention
No Family Separation
Respect and Rights for refugees and asylum seekers
Yes to Legalization for TPS holders
Yes to Legalization for DACA recipients
Welcome to those coming to work and support their families
As our Salvadoran sisters and brothers have taught us, The People United will Never Be Defeated!