Trump says may tie Mexican immigration control to NAFTA

By Doina Chiacu and Anthony Esposito

 

U.S. President Donald Trump in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., April 18, 2018. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

 

WASHINGTON/MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to make Mexican immigration control a condition of a new NAFTA trade deal on Monday, even as ministers from Canada, the United States and Mexico readied a fresh push to finalise a revamped accord this week.

 

"Mexico, whose laws on immigration are very tough, must stop people from going through Mexico and into the U.S. We may make this a condition of the new NAFTA Agreement," Trump wrote in a Twitter post. "Our Country cannot accept what is happening!"

 

Trump made similar comments linking the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and immigration when a 'caravan' of migrants from Central America moved through Mexico earlier this month. "They must stop the big drug and people flows, or I will stop their cash cow, NAFTA," Trump wrote in an April 1 Twitter post.

 

However, discussion of immigration controls has not been a part of formal negotiations on the new NAFTA accord, and talks by all accounts - including Trump's - are progressing.

 

Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray dismissed Trump's comment in his own Twitter post. Mexico decides its immigration policy in a sovereign manner, he said, and it would be "unacceptable" to condition the renegotiation of NAFTA.

 

Before Trump's tweet, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said he hoped for agreement soon on a reworked NAFTA.

 

Speaking in Germany, Nieto said differences between the parties could be overcome to revamp the 24-year-old accord, which underpins some $1.2 trillion in annual trilateral trade.

 

Canada's Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland told a news conference in Toronto that she would be travelling to Washington on Tuesday to meet with Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer.

 

"We have for the past few weeks been involved in intensive negotiations. This is a phase of very, very energetic work by Canada and we will be continuing that at the ministerial level in Washington," said Freeland.

 

Guajardo and others have said a NAFTA deal could be possible by early May, and officials hailed progress made on the key issue of new automotive sector rules last week.

 

Even so, differences still remain on U.S. demands to change dispute resolution mechanisms, and other issues.

 

"The U.S. still needs to be more flexible so there are conditions to create jobs in Mexico, the United States and Canada," said Juan Pablo Castanon, head of the Consejo Coordinador Empresarial, the umbrella group representing Mexican private sector interests at the NAFTA talks.

 

It was too early to say when a deal could come, he added.

 

A Mexican source close to the talks, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a deal was unlikely for Tuesday, adding that "two to three days of work" between negotiators and ministers were still needed.

 

DWINDLING CARAVAN

Since peaking at about 1,500 people, the so-called caravan of migrants has dwindled under pressure from Trump and Mexican authorities, who vowed to separate those migrants with a right to stay in Mexico from those who did not.

 

One group of several hundred migrants could reach the U.S. border by Tuesday or Wednesday.

 

"If members of the 'caravan' enter the country illegally, they will be referred for prosecution for illegal entry in accordance with existing law," Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen M. Nielsen said in a statement on Monday.

 

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a statement he had directed officials to beef up the numbers of prosecutors and immigration judges at the border to deal with any increased workload from the caravan.

 

(Reporting by Doina Chiacu in Washington & Anthony Esposito in Mexico City; Additional reporting by Delphine Schrank in Mexico City and David Ljunggren in Toronto; Editing by Bill Trott and Rosalba O'Brien)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-04-24

For it it clown man.

 

Entangle numerous other items, cause unrelated problems / serious problems for many people, both sides of the wall, disturb direct and indirect business success, disturb direct and indirect employment, in many cases not directly related to your hobbyhorse.

 

 

Duh!  If Trump has his way the border will be similar to the Berlin wall.  The only difference is that Mexicans will be shot trying to enter rather than escape.  Where else in the world would immigrants be shot for trying to enter.  Oh yes, there is North Korea!!

Trump is right. The US can no longer absorb large numbers of unskilled illegals and lose jobs to neighboring countries. In addition, there is the judicial joke of immigration courts. The illegals should be just found guilty on prima fascie evidence (being in the country unlawfully) and immediately deported. No legal niceties. And if they have a family in the country, let them go along if they wish. There is no right that allows people to waltz in without consequences. Maybe it is time to apply mexican immigration law to them. Go Trump.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

"Mexico, whose laws on immigration are very tough, must stop people from going through Mexico and into the U.S. We may make this a condition of the new NAFTA Agreement,"

I'd like to see Mexico respond:

"The US demand for illicit drugs causes and sustains the violence and corruption of drug cartels in Mexico. Therefor, we make it a condition of the new NAFTA that all illicit drug use in America stop."

Will Trump agree to Mexico's meddling in American sovereignty?

Trump wants to control Mexican sovereignty - not going to happen.

19 hours ago, Srikcir said:

I'd like to see Mexico respond:

"The US demand for illicit drugs causes and sustains the violence and corruption of drug cartels in Mexico. Therefor, we make it a condition of the new NAFTA that all illicit drug use in America stop."

Will Trump agree to Mexico's meddling in American sovereignty?

Trump wants to control Mexican sovereignty - not going to happen.

The Mexican cartels are responsible for their own actions. Trying to suggest that the US is the cause of a Mexican cartel is quite a stretch.  Similar to (IMO) saying car manufacturers are responsible for drunk drivers. A nation is defined by it's borders, both physically and metaphorically. Walls work; anyone who says otherwise is not using all their faculties to observe walls in use in every country in the world. I do agree that lax control of our borders has contributed to the need for walls in many areas of the USA.....where they were not common, exceptions being the wealthy citizens who always knew the value of a wall.

7 minutes ago, pizzachang said:

The Mexican cartels are responsible for their own actions. Trying to suggest that the US is the cause of a Mexican cartel is quite a stretch. 

In reverse:

"The illegal immigrants entering America are responsible for their own actions. Trying to suggest that Mexico is the cause of an illegal immigrant into America is quite a stretch."

You see the dichotomy of Trump's nonsense but don't understand it.

42 minutes ago, pizzachang said:

The Mexican cartels are responsible for their own actions. Trying to suggest that the US is the cause of a Mexican cartel is quite a stretch.  Similar to (IMO) saying car manufacturers are responsible for drunk drivers. A nation is defined by it's borders, both physically and metaphorically. Walls work; anyone who says otherwise is not using all their faculties to observe walls in use in every country in the world. I do agree that lax control of our borders has contributed to the need for walls in many areas of the USA.....where they were not common, exceptions being the wealthy citizens who always knew the value of a wall.

Your comparison does not make any sense at all.

 

And no, it is not a stretch.

 

Can you please tell us how most illegals enter the USA BTW?

26 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

In reverse:

"The illegal immigrants entering America are responsible for their own actions. Trying to suggest that Mexico is the cause of an illegal immigrant into America is quite a stretch."

You see the dichotomy of Trump's nonsense but don't understand it.

+1

 

The US, or more accurately Trump and his supporters, only see the brown or black skin of immigrants while ignoring all the damage the US is causing Mexico. How much has Mexico suffered because of the US drug habits? How much has Mexico suffered because of US guns being brought into Mexico? Respectfully, perhaps the US should clean up its own house before whining about others.

 

BTW, while I doubt Trump supporters will acknowledge it, Mexico has actually been quite helpful to the US on many issues, yet they get dumped on regularly. The effect of all this dumping is the likelihood of the election of Obrador, a candidate who really does not like the US. Hey US, what do you think is going to happen when Mexico makes a quiet decision to do much less? Less interdiction of immigrants? Less interdiction of drugs?

 

There are troubles at the US-Mexican border now; they are going to get MUCH worse if the US doesn't learn some basic manners and politeness.

I remember back during the campaign Nieto sneered at the idea paying for the wall.  He also nearly shat himself when Trump mentioned he would cut off or restrict remittance payments to Mexico.  I think that might be the better stick to choose rather than renegotiating NAFTA.

More racist dog whistles leading up to the midterms. That's all the republicans have to run on now. It worked in 2016 but it won't always work. 

On 4/24/2018 at 10:58 AM, mejomini said:

Trump is right. The US can no longer absorb large numbers of unskilled illegals and lose jobs to neighboring countries. In addition, there is the judicial joke of immigration courts. The illegals should be just found guilty on prima fascie evidence (being in the country unlawfully) and immediately deported. No legal niceties. And if they have a family in the country, let them go along if they wish. There is no right that allows people to waltz in without consequences. Maybe it is time to apply mexican immigration law to them. Go Trump.

"Asylum seekers regularly wait five years or more for their cases to be heard, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services had a backlog of 311,000 pending asylum cases as of Jan. 21" 2018.

"This was in part a result of a surge of people in recent years claiming asylum at the U.S. southern border, starting in 2012. The asylum backlog has grown by 1750 percent over the last five years, according to USCIS".

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-asylum/u-s-immigration-agency-to-review-newest-asylum-cases-first-in-bid-to-deter-fraud-idUSKBN1FK2Y5

 

What I can't understand is why  people want to come to the USA.There are so many other countries like in Europe,Canada and some Asian Countries that have better opportunities and are much safer,especially if your seeking Asylum from persecution.

 " Asylum has three basic requirements. First, an asylum applicant must establish that he or she fears persecution in their home country. Second, the applicant must prove that he or she would be persecuted on account of one of five protected grounds: race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or social group".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asylum_in_the_United_States

 

Edited April 25, 20188 yr by riclag

19 minutes ago, riclag said:

 

What I can't understand is why  people want to come to the USA.There are so many other countries like in Europe,Canada and some Asian Countries that have better opportunities and are much safer,especially if your seeking Asylum from persecution.

 " Asylum has three basic requirements. First, an asylum applicant must establish that he or she fears persecution in their home country. Second, the applicant must prove that he or she would be persecuted on account of one of five protected grounds: race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or social group".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asylum_in_the_United_States

 

Maybe. just maybe, it's barely possible that it might have something to do with geography?

"This was in part a result of a surge of people in recent years claiming asylum at the U.S. southern border, starting in 2012. The asylum backlog has grown by 1750 percent over the last five years, according to USCIS".

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-asylum/u-s-immigration-agency-to-review-newest-asylum-cases-first-in-bid-to-deter-fraud-idUSKBN1FK2Y5

11 minutes ago, bristolboy said:

Maybe. just maybe, it's barely possible that it might have something to do with geography?

"This was in part a result of a surge of people in recent years claiming asylum at the U.S. southern border, starting in 2012. The asylum backlog has grown by 1750 percent over the last five years, according to USCIS".

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-asylum/u-s-immigration-agency-to-review-newest-asylum-cases-first-in-bid-to-deter-fraud-idUSKBN1FK2Y5

Plenty of other countries in South America and Central America that meet geographical preference.

Edited April 25, 20188 yr by riclag

13 minutes ago, bristolboy said:

Maybe. just maybe, it's barely possible that it might have something to do with geography?

"This was in part a result of a surge of people in recent years claiming asylum at the U.S. southern border, starting in 2012. The asylum backlog has grown by 1750 percent over the last five years, according to USCIS".

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-asylum/u-s-immigration-agency-to-review-newest-asylum-cases-first-in-bid-to-deter-fraud-idUSKBN1FK2Y5

Novel idea. That might also explain why Syrian asylum seekers go to Europe in stead of USA.

22 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Novel idea. That might also explain why Syrian asylum seekers go to Europe in stead of USA.

I agree with you .apparently Europe is a utopia while America is struggling with  so many homeless people 554,000. We need to stop immigration get back in shape economically ,take care of Americans  with jobs,like we use to be before globalism.Then in 10 years or so we can evaluate our situation . Still can't understand why they want to come to the USA when there are other countries in South America,Central and even Canada

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42248999

Edited April 25, 20188 yr by riclag

35 minutes ago, riclag said:

Plenty of other countries in South America and Central America that meet geographical preference.

Did you read the quotation you cited? Let me provide it for you here:

"What I can't understand is why  people want to come to the USA.There are so many other countries like in Europe,Canada and some Asian Countries that have better opportunities and are much safer,especially if your seeking Asylum from persecution."

10 minutes ago, riclag said:

I agree with you .apparently Europe is a utopia while America is struggling with  so many homeless people 554,000. We need to stop immigration get back in shape economically ,take care of Americans  with jobs,like we use to be before globalism.Then in 10 years or so we can evaluate our situation . Still can't understand why they want to come to the USA when there are other countries in South America,Central and even Canada

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42248999

Maybe we could put the USA on hinges and swing it back and out of the way when people from Central American and Mexico want to get to Canada? And once again, the quote you cited is pertinent here in a way: There are so many other countries like in Europe,Canada and some Asian Countries that have better opportunities and are much safer,especially if your seeking Asylum from persecution."

Those countries that are much safer and offer better opportunities are located at a somewhat inconvenient distance and/or have inconvenient objects like oceans in the way.

30 minutes ago, bristolboy said:

Maybe we could put the USA on hinges and swing it back and out of the way when people from Central American and Mexico want to get to Canada? And once again, the quote you cited is pertinent here in a way: There are so many other countries like in Europe,Canada and some Asian Countries that have better opportunities and are much safer,especially if your seeking Asylum from persecution."

Those countries that are much safer and offer better opportunities are located at a somewhat inconvenient distance and/or have inconvenient objects like oceans in the way.

If they go to other countries that are close by in South America it would be less inconvenient.no oceans and no drama with a opportunity for a safer life for themselves and their children.We have a back log of over 300k 

5 minutes ago, riclag said:

If they go to other countries that are close by in South America it would be less inconvenient.no oceans and no drama with a opportunity for a safer life for themselves and their children.We have a back log of over 300k 

Which country would they be. Very small nations with tiny economies until you got to Columbia. Which not only has lots of poor people as well but is still recovering from a civil war that makes the USA's problems look like a picnic. And it also has to contend with huge number of Venezuelan refugees.  And the quote you cited includes the phrase "better opportunities". So in what nation accessible to these people offers better opportunities than the USA?

Edited April 25, 20188 yr by bristolboy

36 minutes ago, bristolboy said:

Which country would they be. Very small nations with tiny economies until you got to Columbia. Which not only has lots of poor people as well but is still recovering from a civil war that makes the USA's problems look like a picnic. And it also has to contend with huge number of Venezuelan refugees.  And the quote you cited includes the phrase "better opportunities". So in what nation accessible to these people offers better opportunities than the USA?

I googled the cost of a asylum seeker in the USA .It only shows results for Refugees and Asylum Seekers together. It list cost for asylum seekers going to other countries. It cost millions 

This is what it's all about,money. As you can see below many people are struggling .we don't need anymore for now.America has been generous for many years.

https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2017/09/18/tent-city-usa-southern-californias-homelessness-crisis

Edited April 25, 20188 yr by riclag

35 minutes ago, riclag said:

I googled the cost of a asylum seeker in the USA .It only shows results for Refugees and Asylum Seekers together. It list cost for asylum seekers going to other countries. It cost millions 

This is what it's all about,money. As you can see below many people are struggling .we don't need anymore for now.America has been generous for many years.

https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2017/09/18/tent-city-usa-southern-californias-homelessness-crisis

Well, why didn't you say so in the first place instead of questioning why these people want to come to the USA? You're now raising a different point entirely.

Off-topic post and replies removed.

 

13 hours ago, riclag said:

If they go to other countries that are close by in South America it would be less inconvenient.no oceans and no drama with a opportunity for a safer life for themselves and their children.We have a back log of over 300k 

A number of South American countries already have too many asylum seekers from neighbouring countries. 

 

BTW some research would be a good idea before commenting further e.g. Syrian refugees admitted to the US drops to 44 in the past six months.