VP Pence warns migrants not to attempt to enter US illegally
US Vice President Mike Pence thanked Brazil today for welcoming Venezuelans fleeing their country's collapse, while warning ...
US Vice President Mike Pence thanked Brazil today for welcoming Venezuelans fleeing their country's collapse, while warning Central Americans running from violence in their homelands not to attempt to enter the United States illegally.Pence announced that the United States will provide nearly USD 10 million more to support Venezuelan migrants, including USD 1.2 million that will go to Brazil, but he urged Central Americans to "build your lives in your homeland."
"Don't risk your lives or the lives of your children by trying to come to the United States on a road run by drug smugglers and human traffickers," he said. "If you can't come legally, don't come at all." During their meeting, Pence and Temer spoke about Brazilian children separated from their parents who were detained while crossing the US-Mexico border.Temer told reporters that he asked for Pence's "special attention to secure the rapid reunification of families." Temer offered Brazil's help in repatriating Brazilian minors.
"Venezuela's collapse is creating a humanitarian crisis leading to widespread deprivation, the denial of basic services and starvation," Pence said. "It has spurred the largest cross-border mass exodus in the history of our hemisphere." The vice president praised Brazil's support of economic sanctions against its neighbour and for taking the lead in efforts to isolate Maduro, even as he said Brazil and other nations in the region should do more. Pence will visit a centre for Venezuelan migrants in the Brazilian Amazon on Wednesday.
Other than the discussion of migrants, Pence's visit appeared light on substance, as was expected given that Temer is deeply unpopular and a lame duck ahead of October elections.Brazil announced that it officially signed the "Open Skies" agreement, which will allow an unlimited number of flights between the countries, though the pact had long been agreed to. The two countries also agreed to increase space cooperation, though they gave few details.Both leaders said they would work to lower trade barriers after the US imposed restrictions recently on imports of Brazilian steel and aluminium.