A Second Opinion: The US-Mexican Border Crisis

So far, US President Donald Trump has announced a National Emergency in reference to the border crisis with Mexico because of the influx of Central American immigrants crossing into the country illegally.

Recently, he said he would close the border completely, then backed off on that threat, saying that if drugs and illegals weren’t stopped within a year, the border would be closed. He said that as an added incentive to Mexican authorities, tariffs would be put on certain Mexican products and autos.

Most recently, he said he was pleased with the response by Mexican authorities who were stopping more immigrants at their southern border.

He has visited sections of the newly-constructed southern barrier between the US and Mexico which has been the hallmark of his Administration.

Border patrol officials and ICE authorities have said that they are overwhelmed by the humanitarian crisis at the border, with families and children by the thousands being detained and then released into the interior due to lack of housing facilities. The immigrants are seeking asylum and the processing system is overwhelmed by their sheer numbers, with each given court dates for which they may or may not appear.

Mexican-Americans, who have been living and working in the US for years, some of whom were brought to the US as children, are alarmed by the deterioration of relations between Mexico and the US, and the threat of a border shutdown. Central and South Americans are also prevalent in the US, as relations become strained and the US government threatens to cut off aid to Central American governments.

Without a doubt, the second language of the US is Spanish and everyone loves their neighborhood Mexican restaurant, and Hispanics have made great strides in education, local governments, and national politics. This new wave of migrants is tipping the barrel for the current administration which contends we cannot assimilate anymore.

For President Donald Trump, the issues are drug-trafficking and crime, as well as the strain on Social Services. For Open-Border advocates, humanitarian compassion is the number one priority.

A Closed Border would mean cut-off trade and tourism between the two countries.

In the States, we just might have to do without avocados and bananas until the powers-that-be settle the argument. Guacamole, anyone?