President Donald Trump tweeted Friday morning that he will begin "closing" large sections of the U.S./Mexican border "by next week" if Mexico doesn't immediately stop "allowing" illegal immigration into the United States.
Trump made the announcement in a three-tweet span just before noon on Friday.
"The DEMOCRATS have given us the weakest immigration laws anywhere in the World. Mexico has the strongest, & they make more than $100 Billion a year on the U.S. Therefore, CONGRESS MUST CHANGE OUR WEAK IMMIGRATION LAWS NOW, & Mexico must stop illegals from entering the U.S.... ....through their country and our Southern Border. Mexico has for many years made a fortune off of the U.S., far greater than Border Costs. If Mexico doesn’t immediately stop ALL illegal immigration coming into the United States throug (sic) our Southern Border, I will be CLOSING..... ....the Border, or large sections of the Border, next week. This would be so easy for Mexico to do, but they just take our money and “talk.” Besides, we lose so much money with them, especially when you add in drug trafficking etc.), that the Border closing would be a good thing!" Trump tweeted.
Trump did not explain what he meant when he said that "Mexico has made a fortune off the U.S.," though he has long expressed frustration with the United States' trade deficit with Mexico.
Trump clarified later that he would consider shutting down the border to all trade with Mexico, a move that would have massive repercussions for the economy in North America.
"We'll keep it closed for a long time, I'm not playing," Trump said while visiting Lake Okochobee in Florida.
Closing the US/Mexican border would undoubtedly have a major economic impact on border towns like El Paso, Texas, where US and Mexican citizens cross the border legally every day.
More on this as it develops.
The DEMOCRATS have given us the weakest immigration laws anywhere in the World. Mexico has the strongest, & they make more than $100 Billion a year on the U.S. Therefore, CONGRESS MUST CHANGE OUR WEAK IMMIGRATION LAWS NOW, & Mexico must stop illegals from entering the U.S....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 29, 2019
....through their country and our Southern Border. Mexico has for many years made a fortune off of the U.S., far greater than Border Costs. If Mexico doesn’t immediately stop ALL illegal immigration coming into the United States throug our Southern Border, I will be CLOSING.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 29, 2019
....the Border, or large sections of the Border, next week. This would be so easy for Mexico to do, but they just take our money and “talk.” Besides, we lose so much money with them, especially when you add in drug trafficking etc.), that the Border closing would be a good thing!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 29, 2019
