- Trump threatens to close down the Mexican border this week
- President Trump also intends to shut down aid to the Northern Triangle
- The U.S. expects Mexico to work on their immigration laws
U.S. president Donald Trump has made another threat to close the border between the United States and Mexico due to the hundreds of illegal immigrants who troop into the country daily, however, this may affect the economy of either country and create difficulties for people who live or work in both regions.
Closing the Mexican border
Per the report, Donald Trump is more serious this time around to close the border between the U.S. and Mexico after his attempt to build a security wall between both countries went unsupported by the Democrats.
The president’s declaration was made known through his aides, and on Saturday, March 30 the US state department revealed that Trump intends to cut off aids to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador; three countries also known as the Northern Triangle.
According to Mick Mulvaney, White House acting Chief of Staff, it makes no sense to keep sending aid to these regions when they are also part of the problem, sending illegal immigrants into the country.
President says Mexico needs to uphold its own strong immigration laws
Trump’s series of tweets on March 30 also revealed the president’s stance on the matter and in one such message, he stated that Mexico needs to use its “strong immigration laws” to prevent the thousands of people trying to enter the U.S.
The US immigration laws which were inspired by the Democrats are “weak and stupid” according to Trump, even though they would be very easy to fix if not for Democrats refusing to play ball, he added.
While people like Mick Mulvaney, White House acting Chief of Staff have shown support to the President’s move and has hinted that it will take something dramatic for Trump to change his stance, others have been quick to note that it may have a significant effect on the country’s trade and commerce.
An instance is the case of Rufus Yerxa, president of the National Foreign Trade Council who said:
“It’s unworkable and unrealistic, and I don’t think he could really do it…If the closing of the border extended to vehicles and goods, factories could be immediately shut down as parts fail to arrive.”
Second largest trading partner
Mexico, it turns out, is the second largest trading partner of the U.S. and the US Census Bureau revealed that in 2018 alone, trades totalled $612 billion.
Beyond damaging the economy, citizens who work or school in the U.S. but live in Mexico will find it difficult to move between these countries. Their jobs will be affected as will their education.
In line with that, Senator Bernie Sanders, a 2020 U.S. presidential candidate outlined that a more humane policy is required which will ensure that little kids are not pulled out of the arms of their mothers in a bid to get more secure border security.
Alternatively, the US Department of Homeland Security officials revealed that 100,000 illegal immigrants troop into the country monthly and as such, it is already affecting the system and it can’t get worse than it already is.
The US immigration courts have enough workload for them given that there are too many cases for them to handle and some have even been extended to a year’s waiting period.
Despite all this, it is also worth noting that the Mexican government in a bid to appease Donald Trump began a program that will allow migrants work in the U.S. while they are waiting for their case to be handled.
