Washington, D.C. — Last week, U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) returned from a three-day bipartisan, bicameral Congressional delegation visit to Mexico. During the trip, the Congressional delegation joined discussions on the root causes of migration, the impact of U.S.-supported economic development programs in the region, the United States’ critical trade relationship with Mexico, the numerous joint security initiatives in action, and how we can build on the existing relationship between our two countries.
Mexico is a key U.S. partner in addressing irregular migration and tackling security concerns including human and drug trafficking. As the largest goods trading partner with the U.S., Mexico also plays a vital role in the U.S. economy. Throughout the trip, the delegation met with a wide variety of public officials in order to better understand the factors at play in stemming migration flows across the Western Hemisphere and supporting our mutual economic prosperity.
In addition to Senator Butler, the delegation included Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.), as well as Representatives Joaquin Castro (D-Texas-20), Lou Correa (D-Calif.-46), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-Ill.-4), Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas-34), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.-30), Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.-4) and Juan Vargas (D-Calif.-52)
“I was glad to have joined a bipartisan, bicameral delegation to Mexico deepening the relationship with our biggest trading partners and celebrating President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum,” said Senator Laphonza Butler. “Our conversations reinforced the partnership between our nations as both countries work to ensure the human rights and prosperity of our peoples. This timely visit underscored the importance of addressing the root causes of migration, border security, and economic development opportunities.”
“Throughout my time in the Senate, I’ve led numerous Congressional delegations across Latin America. During these trips, my colleagues and I have met with government leaders, community partners, international organizations and others on the ground to gain first-hand knowledge of the United States’ relationship with important regional partners. While recently in Mexico, we had productive, bipartisan conversations on the root causes of migration, how we can better address security concerns in the region, and strategies to expand economic opportunity across the hemisphere,” said Senator Tom Carper. “One thing remains clear from our time in Mexico: migration is a human issue. We must prioritize the safe, orderly and humane treatment of migrants, and this is something I’ve continued to advocate for in every conversation on border security. It’s also the reason we must address the factors at play that force people to leave their home countries. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, as well as our partners and allies abroad, to continue to find solutions to these longstanding challenges.”
“At a moment of change in Mexico as they prepare to inaugurate their first woman president, this visit was valuable to deepen cooperation on issues like migration, security, trade, and economic development that are critically intertwined with the United States,” said Senator Mark Kelly. “Mexico is one of our most important economic partners, and we see it every day in Arizona with cross-border commerce and travel along our ports of entry that we are working to upgrade. I look forward to partnering with President-elect Sheinbaum and her cabinet to address our shared challenges as we continue strengthening the historic relationship between both of our nations.”
“During the 118th Congress, I’ve been honored to serve as the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere and meet with leaders in the hemisphere to address shared challenges. I’m grateful to have spent the week in Mexico having productive conversations with our neighbors, including with President Andrés Manuel Lopéz Obrador and President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum, on prioritizing human rights, engaging in nearshoring, and how we can effectively address migration, security, and trade. We also discussed issues including sharing the waters of the Rio Grande, improving infrastructure along the Texas-Mexico border, and addressing water debt. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with Mexico and the incoming Sheinbaum administration to advance the U.S.-Mexico relationship,” said Representative Joaquin Castro.
“Mexico is more than our southern neighbor—they’re America’s biggest trading partner and California’s largest export market,” said Representative Lou Correa. “Here in Orange County, Disney is our biggest employer, and Disney’s largest source of foreign tourists is Mexico. Our visit to Mexico reaffirmed my belief that our regional economic ties with Mexico, and those we have with Canada too, will continue to grow—as will our cooperation in addressing irregular migration, arms sales, and illicit drug trafficking. Regional problems require regional solutions—and the U.S.-Mexico relationship has never been more indispensable.”
“As an immigrant from Mexico, and a Member of Congress who represents one of the largest Mexican communities in the U.S., this visit was key to talk to President López Obrador and President-elect Sheinbaum about how to strengthen our partnership with Mexico to address the flow of migrants,” said Representative Jesús “Chuy” García. “From housing, to safety, and work permits for migrants both in Mexico and the U.S., as well as addressing the root causes of migration, we can do more and do better if we work together. I look forward to continuing efforts with Mexican officials to address the mutual challenges of receiving migrants and asylum seekers with dignity.”
“South Texas and Mexico share deep cultural and economic ties. It was an honor to be part of this bipartisan delegation and explore how we can continue to further these ties,” said Representative Vicente Gonzalez. “In particular, it was an honor to speak with President-Elect Claudia Sheinbaum on two key issues affecting South Texas. We spoke at length on how her incoming administration can work with the U.S. to ensure South Texas receives the water payments that we are owed, and how we can continue to expand trade across South Texas, while addressing insecurity in Mexico.”
“I was glad to join this bipartisan, bicameral delegation to Mexico to deepen our partnership on border security and promote humane and safe migration policy,” said Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove. “Our discussions reinforce the need to lean in and work with our allies—we cannot tackle shared challenges without robust collaboration with our partners. As a co-chair of the Global Migration Caucus, I will work to advance this cooperation while emphasizing the need to focus on the root causes of migration to ensure dignity and safety for migrants.”
“The U.S.-Mexico relationship is critical to the future of our country, and especially to my home state of Arizona. As a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I was glad for this opportunity to deepen those ties,” said Representative Greg Stanton. “In the weeks and months ahead, I look forward to working with President-elect Sheinbaum and her administration on a comprehensive, regional strategy to address our shared challenges–including improving border security and better managing our water resources–and to seize economic opportunities on both sides of the border.”
“I’m grateful to our partners in Mexico for engaging meaningfully with our Congressional delegation group. We had great conversations about how we can continue to foster our binational relationship and address challenges impacting communities on both sides of the border,” said Representative Juan Vargas. “I also appreciated the opportunity to raise the issue of Tijuana River Valley pollution with both President López Obrador and President-elect Sheinbaum. Addressing the flow of toxic pollution is a key priority. I’ll continue to push Mexico to do its part and fulfill its commitments agreed to in Minute 328. I look forward to continuing these conversations in the future.”
In Mexico, the delegation met with the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Foreign Secretary Alicia Bárcena, and other Mexican dignitaries to address shared interests in economic development, security and migration issues affecting our countries. Senator Butler and her colleagues were also the first U.S. Congressional delegation to meet with Mexican President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum, with whom they discussed the future of the U.S.-Mexico relationship and how our countries can continue to work together to address regional challenges. In addition to these meetings, the delegation visited a migrant shelter in Mexico City where they saw first-hand how Mexico is providing humanitarian aid to assist migrants fleeing violence and poverty. On the last day, members participated in a roundtable focused on human rights in Mexico.
To see more photos from the trip, click here. For a full itinerary of the CODEL, click here.
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