After President Donald Trump drew a tariff line in the sand with Mexico over illegal immigration, the crisis at the border has improved exponentially.
Although Washington elites decried the move, the recent deal has prompted Mexico to start securing its own southern border. The result of limiting migrants intent on entering the U.S. illegally has resulted in a reported 65 percent decline in catch and release. The Trump Administration appears to have notched yet another major policy win in its belt.
The president forced Mexico to act to stop massive migrant caravans and slow the tide of illegal border crossing by threatening immediate tariffs. Mexican officials promptly flew into Washington, D.C., and hashed out a swift and decisive agreement to meet the president’s deadline. President Trump was optimistic the bilateral agreement would have a positive impact.
“I am pleased to inform you that The United States of America has reached a signed agreement with Mexico. The Tariffs scheduled to be implemented by the U.S. on Monday, against Mexico, are hereby indefinitely suspended,” Trump tweeted. “Mexico, in turn, has agreed to take strong measures to stem the tide of Migration through Mexico, and to our Southern Border. This is being done to greatly reduce, or eliminate, Illegal Immigration coming from Mexico and into the United States. Details of the agreement will be released shortly by the State Department. Thank you!”
According to reports from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the number of illegal border crossers being released into the U.S. declined to 3,000 from June 18-25. The number had skyrocketed in recent months as apprehensions topped 100,000 monthly.
“Mexico will try very hard, and if they do that, this will be a very successful agreement for both the United States and Mexico,” President Trump added. “Brandon Judd, National Border Patrol Council: ‘That’s going to be a huge deal because Mexico will be using their strong Immigration Laws — A game changer. People no longer will be released into the U.S.’ Also, 6000 Mexican Troops at their Southern Border. Currently, there are few!”
Although the crisis is a long way from being resolved, the DHS is now reportedly only releasing 375 illegal immigrants per day, a 65 percent drop. During the first week of June, that number topped 1,000 daily.
During the previous six months, DHS had reportedly been forced to allow 211,000 catch and release illegals into the country. All of the illegal immigrants were released in San Diego, Phoenix, El Paso, and San Antonio until Trump announced he would transport them to so-called “sanctuary cities.” Democrats who had previously called for open borders bemoaned the statement and threatened to sue the Trump Administration if migrants were released in Blue State cities.
The Mexico immigration deal is not the only front the president is making significant gains. The U.S. House recently passed a border-funding bill that imposed measures designed to hamstring the president. The U.S. Senate rejected the necessary appropriations bill and passed one without the restrictions. Inevitably, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi backed down on the issue.
“The children come first. At the end of the day, we have to make sure that the resources needed to protect the children are available,” Speaker Pelosi stated. “Therefore, we will not engage in the same disrespectful behavior that the Senate did in ignoring our priorities. In order to get resources to the children fastest, we will reluctantly pass the Senate bill.”
But radicals within the Democratic Party were outraged as their rank-and-file continues to split. Led by upstart New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), the civil war between moderate and socialist Democrats came to a head.
“Hell No,” AOC said. “I do not believe we should be throwing more money to ICE. My district is 50% immigrant. I have an obligation and responsibility to protect them. I believe what we should ideally be doing is passing a pure humanitarian bill to get money straight to the kids.”
The Trump-supported, $4.5 billion bill passed 84-8 in the Senate, and 305-102 in the House. The tallies show that the far left has lost steam as moderate Democrats voted for the president’s border policies. As the Trump Administration continues to post policy wins on immigration, the U.S. Supreme Court recently agreed to hear the case to end DACA once and for all. The conservative-majority court currently has two justices appointed by President Trump.