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| Central Americans wishing to migrate will be better protected through the 'Safe Migration' pilot program. (Source: AFP) |
Following the visit of Phil Gordon, National Security Advisor to US Vice President Kamala Harris, to Guatemala, Washington and the Central American country announced a six-month “Safe Travel” program starting June 1.
Both sides affirmed that the program will support people to legally migrate to the United States and other countries in the region, create opportunities for family reunion and grant temporary work visas.
The Guatemalan Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes that the pilot program will not only create a safe and orderly migration flow, but also help people have better access to state protection mechanisms.
The program is expected to roll out at different times in each country. In late April, Washington announced the creation of migrant care centers in Guatemala and Colombia after Title 42 expires on May 11. Colombia plans to pilot the program on June 19.
Citizens of the Central American Free Movement Agreement (CA4) countries including El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua need to make an online appointment at the “Safe Travel” program office in Guatemala through the website mobilidadsegura.org if they want to apply for a visa to enter the United States.
In Costa Rica, the new pilot program only applies to Nicaraguan and Venezuelan citizens who have registered for asylum in the Caribbean country.
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