Washington — Nearly three years ago, Vice President Kamala Harris stood alongside the then-president of Guatemala in his palace and delivered a message to would-be migrants: “Do not come” to the United States. Since then, U.S. officials have tallied 709,305 encounters with migrants from Guatemala along the southern border, with more than 2 million migrants of all nationalities expected to be apprehended by the end of the fiscal year in September. Guatemala’s new president, Bernardo Arévalo, who took office in January, visited Washington to meet with President Biden and Harris to address border security and immigration concerns. Despite Harris’ earlier message, migrants have not heeded the plea, leading to sustained foot traffic across the border.
Upon meeting with President Biden and Harris, Arévalo emphasized the need for more U.S. economic investment in Guatemala to encourage people to stay in their home country. He stressed the importance of creating conditions that would attract investment and establish factories to create jobs, aiming to address the root causes of migration. Arévalo expressed that allowing people the “right to stay” in their own country is essential, advocating for opportunities that would provide Guatemalans with the means to remain in Guatemala rather than leaving for the United States. This approach contrasts with previous attempts to deter migration through messaging and border security measures.
President Biden tasked Harris with addressing the root causes of migration early in their administration in response to a surge in illegal border crossings following the Trump administration’s hardline border security policy. As the Biden administration anticipates another busy spring along the U.S.-Mexico border, Harris announced an additional $170 million in economic development and security assistance for Guatemala. A public-private partnership also revealed plans for $1 billion in private investment in the country, aiming to prevent citizens from leaving and foster development. Arévalo welcomed these investments as a potential long-term solution to addressing migration pressures and underscored the importance of continued cooperation between the two nations.
As Guatemala’s new president, Arévalo faces significant challenges in addressing corruption and fostering development in the country to deter migration. He has prioritized fighting corruption as the most urgent issue, stating that without addressing corruption, Guatemala will not be able to achieve the development necessary for its citizens to thrive and remain in the country. Arévalo has sought to improve the government and restore democratic norms, supporting the release of journalist José Rubén Zamora, who was imprisoned on money laundering charges under the previous administration. Despite efforts to improve conditions for Zamora and push for his release, legal complexities and the separation of powers prevent immediate action on his case.
Arévalo, a former diplomat and son of former Guatemalan President Juan José Arévalo, has positioned himself as a reform-oriented leader seeking to address the underlying issues driving migration from Guatemala. He advocates for integrated solutions to complex problems rather than simplistic measures like border walls, emphasizing the need for sustained investment and development to create opportunities for Guatemalans. In his efforts to combat corruption and promote development, Arévalo faces resistance from entrenched political rivals and judiciary officials, highlighting the challenges of institutional reform in Guatemala. As he navigates these obstacles, Arévalo remains committed to advancing a reform agenda that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and economic growth for the benefit of Guatemala’s citizens.
