Donald Trump Issues Order to Build Mexico Wall

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, issued an order on Wednesday, February 25, to construct a wall along the border between the U.S. and Mexico. The construction of the wall was one of Trump's campaign promises during last year's presidential election. Another order from Trump targets cities that shelter illegal Mexican immigrants, focusing on stricter measures against cities and states that are referred to as 'sanctuary' for illegal immigrants. Most of these cities, managed by Democrats, do not have strict measures against illegal immigrants. The U.S. President issued these two orders during a visit to the Department of Homeland Security. Before signing these orders, Trump stated in an interview with ABC that the construction operations would begin within a few months and that Mexico would pay 100% of the costs. Trump's executive orders come in response to Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto's statement on January 12, asserting that his country would not pay for the wall that Trump promised to build at the U.S.-Mexico border. The length of the U.S.-Mexico border is 3,200 kilometers. In a gathering of Mexican ambassadors and consuls, he said, 'It is clear that we have disagreements with the future U.S. government, such as the wall issue, which Mexico will not pay for.' The Mexican President emphasized, 'Our fundamental principles, such as national independence, are non-negotiable.' In response, Trump remarked that it is 'natural' for the Mexican President to say such things. Another issue between the two countries is the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which Trump has called for. On February 25, Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo responded that Mexico would exit NAFTA if the renegotiation terms were not favorable to the country. Guajardo added, 'There is no other option. We will not stay for anything less than what we currently have. Staying would make no logical sense.' NAFTA has been in effect since 1994 between the three countries: the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.