Staff Reports
Donald Trump’s impact on illegal immigration is already being felt—surprisingly, without him even taking the presidential oath yet. His robust rhetoric and threats of tariffs have Mexico scrambling like a cat in a room full of rocking chairs, trying hard to stave off economic consequences from the incoming administration.
Mexican officials, realizing that caravans of migrants might actually lead to a larger headache under Trump, have recently ramped up efforts to dismantle these groups. Gone are the days when these aspiring migrants could safely march in large, boisterous formations. Instead, Mexico has shifted strategies, opting to disperse these groups across the country. This includes relocating them to less favorable locales like Acapulco, which used to be the party capital but now seems to be a convenient drop-off point for migrant dispersal.
The backbone of Trump’s approach is his consistent threat of imposing steep tariffs on Mexican imports if the migration numbers do not see a dramatic decline. His 25% tariff sword is swinging above Mexico’s head, and it seems to be working wonders in making officials take action before he even steps into the Oval Office. Trump’s commitment to addressing the southern border crisis includes not just stiff tariffs but a complete crackdown on illegal crossings and a massive deportation sweep that, if it happens, could rewrite history books.
Trump’s recently named administration members, including South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as the Secretary of Homeland Security and former ICE Director Tom Homan as the “Border Czar,” have been given a clear mandate: secure the southern border like it’s the last cookie at a cookie party. If there has ever been a team of no-nonsense individuals, it is this one, ready to turn the border enforcement nightmare into a well-orchestrated symphony of law and order.
Trump’s Tariff Threats Are Working Already to Curb Illegal Immigration #PJMedia https://t.co/GUx5QLFvc0
— Matt Margolis (@mattmargolis) January 8, 2025
In a truly Trumpian twist, he even mused about renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America,” because why wouldn’t you give a geographic feature a more patriotic name during a conversation about immigration? His America-first doctrine continues to permeate his every move, showing that America’s interests are the priority, much to the dismay of those hoping for a more lax approach.
As Iberian-themed migrant caravans scramble to make their way toward the U.S. before Trump’s policies kick into high gear, the question lingers: will they find the path lined with the same welcoming receptions they once imagined? With Mexican enforcement tightening the screws, the answer may just be a resounding no. If this is what Trump can achieve before officially getting the keys to the White House, buckle up, because the border crisis is about to get treated to a heavy dose of reality.
