On January 20, Trump took oath as the 47th President of the United States. His inaugural speech covered a range of issues, from Panama to the transgender issue. However, his immediate decision to declare an emergency at the US’s southern border with Mexico has gained much more attention among US citizens. Trump has always acted against illegal immigration and has said illegal immigration is “a disastrous invasion of our country.”
Trump Begins with a Bang
On his first day in office, Trump brought immediate and sweeping changes to US immigration policies, particularly targeting the southern border with Mexico. Trump declared a national emergency at the US -Mexico border. He is also determined to end birthright citizenship. Trump also announced that drug cartels would be labeled as terrorist organizations.
This designation allows the US government to use additional tools to combat cartel activity, such as freezing assets and deploying military resources. Trump’s administration has also dismantled programs set up by the previous administration, such as the CBP One app and other initiatives designed to create legal pathways for asylum seekers. By shutting down these options, Trump aims to deter migrants from attempting to cross the border. In his speeches, Trump has used strong language, describing the situation at the border as an “invasion” and referring to undocumented migrants as “criminal aliens.” This rhetoric is designed to justify his tough policies and rally support from his base.
One must think about why Trump is so serious about the southern border with Mexico. The answer to this curious question lies in the complex nature of the relationship between these nations.
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The Cartels operating in Mexico
Trump announced that drug cartels would be labeled as terrorist organizations. The drug cartels operate through complex networks that also control the production and trafficking of narcotics. This includes cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl, much of which ends up in the US. This fuels the opioid crisis and leads to thousands of deaths annually due to drug overdoses. Fentanyl, a new drug, has accelerated the woke culture in the US society. The cartel has also brought rampant corruption in both countries. Hence, designating these cartels as terrorist organizations becomes imperative from the US point of view.
The arms mafia groups many of which operate in Mexico aggravate violence on both sides of the border. Many firearms used by cartels are smuggled from the US, where gun laws are often more lenient. This illicit trade fuels cartel violence and empowers criminal organizations, making it harder for Mexican authorities to combat their influence. For the US, these trafficked weapons often make their way back across the border, contributing to gun violence and criminal activity within American communities.
Migration at the Southern Border
Migration at the southern border is driven by a combination of factors, including poverty, violence, corruption, and lack of opportunities in Central and South America. Many migrants are fleeing cartel violence or economic instability in countries like Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. These migrants enter the US through the southern border with Mexico.
On average, thousands of migrants attempt to cross into the US daily, with estimates often ranging between 6,000 and 8,000 people in a day. This influx puts a strain on US resources, including border enforcement, detention centres, and the asylum processing system. Additionally, it raises debates about labour markets, security, and the country’s capacity to integrate new arrivals. Locals are losing jobs due to the cheap availability of labour from these illegal migrants, which has a direct effect on the per capita income of the local populace.
Renaming the Gulf of Mexico
President Trump also seems intent on renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. The root of this move is his nationalist vision and desire to emphasize US dominance in the region. Historically, the Gulf of Mexico has been known by its current name for centuries, reflecting its geographical position and historical ties to Mexico. The name was solidified during the Spanish exploration and colonization of the Americas. Trump’s proposal appears to be driven by a symbolic effort to assert US influence over the region and diminish the association with Mexico, knowing that arms, drugs, and immigration are posing a direct threat to the US economy and the US demography. Supporters view it as a bold statement of US sovereignty and pride.
Overall, Trump’s announcement was a complete breakaway from the traditional art of diplomacy. Trump’s actions on the first day have shown a short trailer of the upcoming four year movie, which is going to be make the neighbourhood relations extremely volatile.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and her Cabinet oppose the revival of Trump’s anti-immigration policy and unilateral deportations by the US. They believe these policies are unfair and go against cooperation between nations. Mexico’s Secretary for External Relations, Juan Ramón de la Fuente, emphasized that while the policy doesn’t force Mexico to handle US asylum requests, they are open to finding a collaborative solution.
Sheinbaum stressed the importance of offering asylum options beyond the U.S.-Mexico border, allowing people from Mexico’s southern regions or other countries to apply. They aim for a more humane and balanced approach to immigration issues.
However Donald Trump has his own vision of America First where he sees the interests of his country first and foremost. This might upset many long standing diplomatic stands of the United States in its neighbourhood as well as with its long term allies. In the upcoming months, the world might see the execution of these radical Trump policies and their effect will be felt not just by Americans but by the globe at large.