Harris Visits Guatemala, Tells Potential Migrants 'Do Not Come'

Vice President Kamala Harris told potential migrants not to come to the U.S. during her trip to Guatemala on Monday. In a press conference with Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei, Harris said she and Giammattei discussed some of the root causes of migration and some potential solutions, such as U.S. entrepreneurial investment, anti-corruption initiatives, climate action and other initiatives that could help Guatemala build their country and deter migration to the U.S. “The goal of our work is to help Guatemalans find hope at home,” Harris said. “At the same time, I want to be clear to folks in this region who are thinking about making that dangerous trek to the United States – Mexico border, do not come, do not come." Giammattei also said in the press conference that the U.S. is reportedly working on a process with Guatemala to allow people to migrate to the U.S. through visas. This comes after U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials reported over 178,000 migrants at the southern border in April, 17,000 of whom were unaccompanied minors. 

Coverage from the left and center tended to focus on the details of the talks between Harris and Giammattei, as well as their press conference remarks. Some coverage from the right highlighted Republican criticism of Harris' handling of the border, including the fact that she has yet to visit any border sites.