Firsthand Look At Living Conditions In Honduras, El Salvador

07:59

August 14, 2018

Deborah Becker
Shannon Dooling
Chris Citorik

Congressman Jim McGovern, center, speaks to a local coalition of immigrant advocates about the possible things he could accomplish if the Democrats win back a majority in the House of Representative in this year's election. Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone, who also made the trip, sits to his left listening. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

U.S. Representative Jim McGovern and Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone are traveling on a fact-finding mission to Honduras and El Salvador. The two hope to get a firsthand look at the state of poverty and violent crime in the troubled countries after Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen claimed in May that living conditions have improved dramatically.

The Trump administration has plans to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for immigrants from the two nations.

Guest

Shannon Dooling, WBUR reporter who is traveling with the delegation. She tweets @sdooling.

This segment aired on August 14, 2018.