In early April, President Donald Trump threatened to close the border with Mexico, taking the world by surprise. Such a large border closing would have lasting economic impacts for all parties involved.
Donald Trump’s threat to shut down the border is in alignment with his campaign promises to promote security, but many have questioned if this promise is in the best interests of the American people and America’s allies. Much of the controversy stems from how Trump has shamed Mexico.
On numerous occasions, Trump has blamed Mexico for many of the the United States’ current problems. He has emphasized that Mexico is the main source of drug trafficking as well as illegal immigrants that compete for American jobs. To justify the border closing, Trump also said that all Mexico does is “take our money and ‘talk.’”
By shutting down the border, the White House is attempting to send a message to Mexico; the United States will not tolerate illegal immigration. While maintaining border security is in the best interests of the American people, the consequences of such an action will have widespread effects, impacting many parts of daily life.
Senior Jamie Trentz, whose relatives may be affected, acknowledges how people may be impacted by the closing. “I like that [Trump] is working to fix illegal immigration, but the closing might hurt America’s economy, too,” he said.
The U.S.-Mexico border is one of the most busy borders in the western hemisphere. The goods shipped across the border include produce, crops, car parts, raw materials, and countless other goods in demand by both countries’ economies. Slowing down the shipment of goods could bring factories and businesses to a standstill, and each hour it is closed would mean millions of dollars lost for both countries.
Additionally, all of the legal travel that occurs on the border would be halted. Each day, nearly 500,000 people cross the southern American border, bringing tourism and and various other sources of income with them. If the border was to be shut it once again means millions of dollars in losses.
Among tourists, the closing is viewed as a mistake. Senior Nate Roethler, who has spent a considerable amount of time in Mexico, thinks “[the closing] is naive. America has put in too much effort and money into the wrong solutions.”
In November of 2018, the government shut down the San Ysidro border crossing for a mere 6 hours, but the costs of that temporary closure were upwards of $5 million.
Perhaps above the issue of illegal immigration lies the relationship between the two countries as a whole. It is possible to work with Mexico to find a solution, but it is also necessary to make sure that the problems are being effectively addressed. Taking drastic action without the best interests of both countries in mind could potentially drive a wedge between America and its neighbor.
According to Roethler, a peaceful solution is possible. “Not all Mexicans are bad but you fight darkness with light,” he said. “Mexicans are good people who are seeking refuge and we should accept them with open arms.”
There are many well documented issues associated with the southern border. Trump’s border closing may be one of the many possible solutions, but it may be worthwhile to explore all other options prior to taking action.
