One of the latest responses to migrants coming at the southern border is the Trump administration moving to cut off humanitarian to Northern Triangle countries (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras). The presumed reason is that these countries are taking insufficient steps to stem the tide of emigrants.

US cutting off humanitarian aid to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador

The United States is halting humanitarian funding to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, just days after Trump warned of a new migrant caravan heading toward the U.S. border.

USA TODAY

That brings into question a better understanding of what is the aid currently used for – and how likely is this approach likely to be effective. On the surface at least it appears it could at least as likely be counter-productive.

Here is a good breakdown of where that aid is being spent with an ability to drill down to particular projects.

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foreignassistance.gov

The amount of aid has already been dropping:

Historically, the United States has viewed foreign aid programs to Central American countries as a vital component of stabilizing the countries, potentially halting the flow of immigrants seeking to migrate to the United States. Under Trump, aid to the countries had already plummeted.

The U.S. provided about $131 million in aid to Guatemala, $98 million to Honduras, and $68 million to El Salvador in 2016, according to Reuters. The following year the funding fell to about $69 million for Guatemala, $66 million for Honduras and $46 million for El Salvador.

There is also something to be sorted out depending on how the laws granting this aid was passed, since it might depend on Congress more than the president.

Reality Check: How can a US president cut off foreign aid?

President Trump has cut some US foreign aid to Pakistan - can he follow through on other threats?

www.bbc.com

There were small amounts of aid suspended on particular issues such as this (mis)-use of military vehicles.

Military Daily News

Daily updates of everything that you need know about what is going on in the military community and abroad including military gear and equipment, breaking news, international news and more.

Military.com

Some of the past budget amounts have not been spent by the Trump administration, also suggesting Trump has already had an effect on spending.

Foreign aid to Central America is in limbo because officials are afraid of Trump

The Trump administration is seeking Central America’s help to reduce migration. But Trump keeps throwing tantrums.

Vox

As I understand things, a lot of this foreign aid funnels through USAID. Here is their fact sheet about Guatemala from July 2018. The overall goals include:

Consistent with the goals of the U.S. Strategy for Central America, and in broad alignment with the Northern Triangle Countries’ Alliance for Prosperity Plan, USAID programs in Guatemala seek to address the drivers of irregular migration to the United States, including high levels of violence and insecurity, pervasive poverty, and chronic malnutrition.

The following goes into more detail with a sequence of projects.

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www.usaid.gov

Here is a case made from a pro-aid group

FAQ: U.S. Assistance to Central America – USGLC

An influential network of business, faith, and military leaders who support strategic investments in development and diplomacy to build a better safer world.

USGLC

Here is a more nuanced perspective

Site under maintenance | Panoramas

www.panoramas.pitt.edu

Overall, these numbers don’t seem large. For example, a spending of $69 million for Guatemala would not build very much fencing.