The freeze on U.S. foreign aid has shut down vital programs like a vocational school in Cali, Colombia, crucial for Venezuelan migrants such as Alexandra Guerra. With her dreams of legal migration halted, many migrants now face uncertainties about their future. This situation may lead to increased migration and reflects the negative impact of U.S. policy changes on vulnerable populations.
In Cali, Colombia, a vocational school previously supported by USAID lies dormant, with sewing machines and computers unused. This facility was crucial for Venezuelan migrants like Alexandra Guerra, who relied on it for skills to enter the shoemaking industry. With the recent U.S. aid freeze, these opportunities have vanished, crushing the hope of many who fled repression in Venezuela.
Guerra, a 25-year-old single mother, was dependent on the support from USAID, which included a daily subsidy while searching for work. However, the abrupt decision to halt foreign aid by the Trump administration halted her classes and her future prospects in Colombia. USAID had previously provided economic stability, deterring many from migrating to the U.S.
Gustavo Vivas, project director of Guerra’s program, expressed concern over the aid cuts, noting their role in addressing migration issues. He stated, “It is curious that a solution to many problems — including those related to migration — is being halted.”
Colombia, now hosting the largest Venezuelan migrant community, is facing a potential increase in migration as U.S. aid halts over $2 billion across more than 82 programs. With her dreams of moving to the U.S. dashed, Guerra is now considering relocating to Europe, reflecting a desperate desire for a better life.
Another migrant, Ayarith Olimpio, voiced her frustrations about the aid suspension impacting both migrants and their support networks. Emphasizing the importance of these programs, she stated, “Here, this center becomes the family network that can help you out.”
Five years after relocating to Cali, Olimpio aspires to move to a more prosperous country, advocating for a legal migration process that allows her contributions to be recognized. She expressed poignantly, “A migrant is not just a face on social media, we are people!”
The repercussions of the aid freeze extend beyond migrants to local aid workers whose contracts are ending. Many are left with uncertainty about their futures, as exemplified by one worker’s description of a notification stating, “We understand you have questions, and most likely we don’t have answers for them.”
Amidst the despair, Olimpio lamented, “There are people right now who are waiting for their opportunity, just like I waited and got it.” The turning off of the aid tap signifies not only lost opportunities but also the dissolution of hope for many in need.
The recent halt to U.S. foreign aid has led to the closure of critical support programs for Venezuelan migrants in Colombia, eliminating pathways for economic stability and legal migration. Individuals like Alexandra Guerra and Ayarith Olimpio highlight the human impact of these changes. The U.S. government’s internal policy conflicts may lead to increased migration, as aid programs that previously provided hope and community support have been dismantled. This situation underscores the complexities surrounding migration and foreign aid in addressing the root causes of displacement.
Original Source: www.cnn.com
