The big announcement from Trump this morning on stopping the influx of immigrants though Mexico was not what it was reported as being.
Instead of an asylum policy change, Trump is using tariffs to try and force Mexico to stop allowing immigrants to use their country as a welcome mat:
On June 10th, the United States will impose a 5% Tariff on all goods coming into our Country from Mexico, until such time as illegal migrants coming through Mexico, and into our Country, STOP. The Tariff will gradually increase until the Illegal Immigration problem is remedied,..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2019
….at which time the Tariffs will be removed. Details from the White House to follow.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2019
I was hoping for more of a policy change on asylum based on what was reported today.
The tariffs are just going to raise prices on American consumers. Sure, they will probably hurt Mexico to some degree, especially as the tariffs go up. But Mexico may respond with tariffs on us and then we’re in another trade war.
I guess we’ll have to wait and see how effective this will end up being. I’m having my doubts, but perhaps it will be the spark needed to push Democrats in the House to do something about our asylum laws at the southern border.