Kamlager-Dove, Ramirez, Casar, Congressional Caucus on Global Migration, and House Democrats Demand USAID Reinstitution to Reduce Irregular Migration

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Global Migration, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), and Congressman Greg Casar (TX-35), led 37 members of the Democratic caucus to demand the Administration reverse their unconstitutional action to dismantle USAID.

In a letter addressed to Secretary Marco Rubio, the Congressional Caucus pointed out that eliminating humanitarian aid would drive forced and irregular migration worldwide by hindering economic opportunity, increasing violence, and strengthening the likelihood of disease and famine.

"USAID's humanitarian and development programs, when executed in solidarity with the local communities, can play a role in addressing the conditions across the globe that enable people to build the life they want and deserve at home," wrote the Members of Congress. "Your Administration has expressed a commitment to reducing irregular migration. Your actions run counter to this commitment and exacerbate the conditions on the ground that drive people to be on the move."

"We urge you to immediately halt the stop-work orders and restore USAID's operational capacity."

The letter was also signed by Representatives Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Andre Carson (IN-7), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Emanuel Cleaver II (MO-05), Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Raul M. Grijalva (AZ-07), Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01), Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (GA-04),Ro Khanna (CA-17), Summer L. Lee (PA-12), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), James P. McGovern (MA-2), Bettcher McCollum (MN-04), Robert J. Menendez (NJ-08), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Linda T. Sanchez (CA-38), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Adam Smith (WA-09), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), Juan Vargas (CA-52), and Maxine Waters (CA-43).

To read the full letter, click here.

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