In Guatemala, Harris tells would-be migrants to U.S., ‘You will be turned back’

Harris speaks after meeting on migration with Guatemalan president on her first foreign trip as vice president. Speaking from Guatemala’s capital with its president at her side, Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a stark message Monday to would-be migrants from Central America, saying they “will be turned back” if they attempt to cross the U.S. border illegally. Giammattei, at the news conference, said Harris’ visit provided an “opportunity to be able to work on a joint agenda” to help the Guatemalan economy. Significantly, given the role of corruption in the region’s plight, Harris said, “The president and I discussed the importance of anti-corruption and the importance of an independent judiciary.” She said a task force will be set up to train people and support local prosecutors, adding, “Corruption does not know borders, and we want to make sure that this is about transnational crime. Zúñiga told reporters Sunday night that Harris and Giammattei would talk “clearly and plainly as partners, as countries that have to get along.” In previous conversations with leaders in the region, Zúñiga said, “we talked about the easy things, but we talk mostly about hard things.” Specialists on the region looked to Harris’ diplomacy for further signs of the shift from the policies of President Trump.