Pelosi, 12 other lawmakers to visit Central America, Texas border town

Aug. 8 (UPI) -- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday she will lead a U.S. congressional delegation to Central America in the near future, before visiting south Texas to examine the controversial immigration situation.

The California Democrat said the 13-member delegation will travel to Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, and then McAllen, Texas. She did not specify when the trip will occur.

The group plans to meet Central American government officials to discuss shared interests and recognize the region's contributions to the United States, Pelosi said.

Delegate Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen, of American Samoa, will be the only Republican member making the trip.

"As our high-powered delegation begins our visit to the Northern Triangle, we look forward to strengthening our partnership to enhance regional security and stability, create greater economic opportunity, combat corruption and advance human rights to make it safer for people to thrive in their communities," Pelosi said in a statement.

Others making the trip include Reps. Eliot Engel and Nydia Velazquez of New York; Jim McGovern of Massachusetts; Lucille Roybal-Allard, Katie Hill and Norma Torres of California; Henry Cuellar of Texas; Anthony Brown of Maryland; Mary Gay Scanlon of Pennsylvania; and Jesus García and Lauren Underwood of Illinois.

"In our meetings with representatives from government, the judiciary, civil society, community and faith-based groups, the private sector and human rights organizations, we will renew our commitment to advancing our shared interests and to helping empower the people of the Northern Triangle to build a better future at home," Pelosi added.

The Trump administration in March cut off foreign aid to all three Central American nations , saying they hadn't done enough to stem the flow of migrants to the United States. President Donald Trump later amended the move to reinstate about two-thirds of the funding. The administration also reached an agreement with Guatemala last month to first have U.S.-bound migrants apply for asylum there as a "safe third country."