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Immigration and "Free" Trade Delegation to Guatemala

March 7-15, 2009

View a printable delegation flyer Download an application: [.doc] [.pdf]

Description

After two years of CAFTA (the United States - Central America Free Trade Agreement) in Guatemala, more people than ever before are heading north seeking employment, thus leaving their families, communities, and culture behind. Each year, approximately 40,000 Guatemalans head for the United States seeking jobs and money to send home to their families, who are on the brink of economic disaster. An estimated 1.5 million Guatemalans live in the U.S. (one out of every 11 Guatemalans), about half of whom are undocumented and are thus subject to incarceration and deportation.

GHRC's delegation travelled to Guatemala to learn firsthand how unregulated free-market policies are pushing farmers off of their land, forcing youth to head north, and causing men to leave their wives and children in search of a paycheck to send home. We visited several communities throughout Guatemala, talking with families affected by migration, to see the impact of multinational companies whose profits are prioritized over people under CAFTA. We also learned of community resistance strategies to the impacts of the free trade model.

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Official Delegation Report Coming Soon!

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	Guatemala Human Rights Commission/USA

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	Immigration and "Free" Trade Delegation to Guatemala March 7-15, 2009 View a printable delegation flyer Download an application: [.doc] [.pdf] Description After two years of CAFTA (the United States - Central America Free Trade Agreement) in Guatemala, more people than ever before are heading north seeking employment, thus leaving their families, communities, and culture behind. Each year, approximately 40,000 Guatemalans head for the United States seeking jobs and money to send home to their families, who are on the brink of economic disaster. An estimated 1.5 million Guatemalans live in the U.S. (one out of every 11 Guatemalans), about half of whom are undocumented and are thus subject to incarceration and deportation. GHRC's delegation travelled to Guatemala to learn firsthand how unregulated free-market policies are pushing farmers off of their land, forcing youth to head north, and causing men to leave their wives and children in search of a paycheck to send home. We visited several communities throughout Guatemala, talking with families affected by migration, to see the impact of multinational companies whose profits are prioritized over people under CAFTA. We also learned of community resistance strategies to the impacts of the free trade model. --- Official Delegation Report Coming Soon! Back to Main





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