President-elect Donald Trump has used a variety of strategies to combat the flow of immigration to the United States in his first term, and it will increase in his second term, according to an adviser to the incoming president and a former administration official.
Carlos Trujillo, who was the ambassador to the Organization of American States during Trump’s first term, said in an interview, “There will be a lot of attention on border control and working with Central American and South American countries for this.”
Border crossings reached record numbers in the first three years of the Biden administration after pandemic-era restrictions were lifted. In the summer, the administration sat down severe asylum restrictions This has resulted in a more than 50% reduction in the number of people the Border Patrol encounters on a daily basis. tgrasshe is the lowest level from 2020.
When it comes to migration, “you have to negotiate with many, many countries. It’s not just one or two,” Trujillo said. “Before, we would focus on the Northern Triangle as well as Mexico. “I think that now the flow of migration is so big that there are more players in the business of human trafficking.”
He said the administration would consider many different options to achieve its goals.
“I think he’s going to look at any policies or opportunities that help make that happen,” Trujillo said. “Some of the options may be economic options. Some of the options may be blockade options. Some of the options may be direct diplomacy. There are many options.”
Trump in his first term threatened to cut hundreds of millions of money Dollar aid to El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras – the Northern Triangle – if they do not prevent their citizens from seeking asylum at the US-Mexico border. He also signed Asylum Cooperation Agreements The Biden administration ended those agreements with three countries that allowed US immigration officials to send asylum seekers back to those countries before they could apply for asylum in the US, but implemented other policies to limit the flow of asylum seekers, such as An asylum application is required through the CBP One program and Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela (CHNV) parole program.
NBC News reports that the Trump administration has released information about this plans to graduate from Biden’s programs, perhaps those who have not yet received asylum will be eligible for deportation.
Since then, Nicaragua has become a popular hub for migrants from Latin America and Africa trying to reach the United States.
“I don’t think about them [Nicaragua] have a choice,” Trujillo said. “I don’t think they can threaten our national security and safety with impunity.”
Mexico
Asylum seekers in Trump’s first term They had to wait for their asylum applications in Mexico. Then-President Andrés Manuel López Obrador granted many of Trump’s immigration demands. During this year’s campaign, Trump promised to impose a 25% tariff on goods unless the flow of migrants and drugs from Mexico to the United States was stopped.
Trujillo singled out the Trump administration threats of tariffs and the subsequent migration deal with Mexico, “it was a very effective strategy that succeeded,” he said.
Mexico’s new president, Claudia Sheinbaum, was among the first world leaders last week to congratulate Trump after the election. But it remains to be seen whether Scheinbaum will be as cooperative as López Obrador when it comes to the demands of the new Trump administration.
Mexico’s Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard recently suggested that if the Trump administration imposes tariffs on Mexican exports, his government could retaliate with its own tariffs on US imports.
Venezuela
During Trump’s first term, Venezuela was at the forefront of his Latin American policy. He waged a campaign of “maximum pressure” against President Nicolás Maduro and backed opposition leader Juan Guaido to oust the authoritarian leader. Biden tried to negotiate free and fair elections with Maduro while offering some sanctions relief. Despite these strategies, Maduro remains in power.
Trump may focus more on immigration than trying to democratize the government. Venezuelans make up the majority of migrants to the United States
“I think the policy will be focused on preventing illegal immigration, especially from Venezuela,” Trujillo said.
Cuba
Trump reversed several of Barack Obama’s executive orders that liberalized trade and travel to Cuba, banned U.S. flights to most Cuban cities, and restricted remittances. Before leaving office, Trump declared Cuba a state sponsor of terrorism. Biden lifted the ban on flights and money transfers and kept the rest intact.
“You have to address the influence of Cuba on migration in the region,” said Trujillo, a Cuban-American.
He also said there would be more pressure from China and Russia to stop “acts of aggression in our hemisphere, particularly directed at the United States.”
Beijing and Havana are reportedly discussing a new joint military training facility on the island. The Biden administration has said China has had a listening post in Cuba for years, which the Cuban government denies. In the summer, Russian warships stopped in the port of Havana for several days as a show of force.
Cuba is suffering from near-catastrophic conditions. Economic crisis Driven by their state-dominated economic model, decades of sanctions tightened by the Trump administration, and the impact of the pandemic on tourism have resulted in shortages of food, medicine and fuel. The island has recently been hit by two hurricanes, an earthquake and a major hurricane faults in the electrical network left the whole island in darkness.
Some countries rushed to help Cuba. Mexico almost sent half a million barrels crude oil and diesel within a few days. Russia has promised to send more. The United Nations and the European Union sent 94 tons, and Venezuela sent an additional 300 tons.
“We will support Cuba,” Sheinbaum said at a recent news briefing. … Even if they criticize, we will show solidarity.”
In contrast, Trujillo emphasized Trump’s tough stance. “If you look at what’s happening in Cuba, the pressure on President Trump is what caused their economy to completely collapse. “I thought it was a better policy than agreeing to the Cuban Communist Party.”