In the last few months, there has been a startling increase in the number of arrests made at the U.S.-Mexico border. According to Customs and Border Protection (CBP), over 76,000 migrants – including 7,000 unaccompanied children – were detained by border agents this last February. These arrests skyrocketed again in March, when ICE effectively detained or denied roughly 100,000 migrants at the border, marking a 12-year high.
On April 2, 2019, President Trump reiterated his threats to shut down the U.S.-Mexico border, boasting that America’s security is worth the potential economic fallout. During a press conference, the president issued the following statement: “Let me just give you a little secret. Security is more important to me than trade. So we’re going to have a slower border or a closed border.” This comment follows an ultimatum the President issued on May 29, 2019, when he explained, “Mexico is going to have to do something, otherwise I’m closing the border…I’ll just close the border. When you close the border, also you will stop a lot of the drugs from coming in.”
In the last two years, the Trump Administration has faced intense public and political scrutiny for it’s relentless focus on immigration and border wall security. In fact, the American Civil Liberties Union has already filed over 119 legal actions against the president for his controversial – and debatably inhumane – immigration policies.
However, President Trump’s recent comments about closing the border isn’t necessarily earning him popularity points with the Republican party. His decision to shut down the border was announced despite cautionary advice from Congressional Republicans, the business lobby, and even his own economic advisor.
Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law and senior advisor, told Fox News that Trump’s posturing is just a tactic to pressure Congress into finding a viable solution to illegal immigration. But Trump’s supporters are ignoring the fact that closing the border will harm both U.S. businesses and legal immigrants. For example, the American auto industry imports critical vehicle parts directly from Mexico, including wiring harnesses that are installed in 70% of all vehicles assembled in the United States. This could impact the jobs of over 1 million American workers at auto assembly plants.
The president is famous for grandstanding (and has even closed the government in a fit of pique), but White House counselor Kellyanne Conway asserts that Donald Trump is serious about closing the border. “It certainly isn’t a bluff. You can take the president seriously,” Conway told Fox News Sunday, adding that “Congress can fix the problem of immigration that they’ve failed to fix. The president is looking at the metrics.” According to Politico writer Martin Matishak, “She also defended the president’s decision to cut off aid to the Central American countries of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. Trump has claimed the governments of those countries had ‘set up’ migrant caravans for entry into the United States. ‘We need to send a message,’ Conway said. She brushed off the suggestion that ending aid would worsen life in those countries and cause more people to head to the United States.”
Concerned About Your Immigration Status? Discuss Your Case with a Legal Professional
The future of legal immigration is balancing on a precarious precipice. As the campaign season draws near, we’ll likely witness and experience many unexpected changes and compromises in immigration law and border wall security. At Guerra Sáenz, PL, we take great care to stay updated on fluctuating immigration policies because we are concerned about our current and potential clients. If you have questions about your immigration rights or are concerned about being deported, call our Coral Springs immigration attorneys today. Our knowledgeable legal team can examine your case, explain your legal options, and represent your interests both in and out of court.
Call Guerra Sáenz, PL today at (888) 936-3228 schedule a consultation.