Trump Threatens to Close the Mexico Border by Next Week

On Friday, April 9, the President of the United States reiterated his threat to close the border between the United States and Mexico, warning that he would take action by next week. Donald Trump tweeted: "If Mexico does not immediately stop all these illegal migrants from entering the United States through our southern border, I will close that border or a large part of it next week." While in southern Florida, he emphasized that he could keep the border closed to trade for "a long time" and, referring to overcrowded migrant detention centers, stated: "We have no more space. We cannot hold people anywhere. Mexico, however, can easily stop them." These remarks come after the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. border officials announced that they are facing resource constraints regarding illegal migrants. Simultaneously, two large caravans of migrants are planning to enter the United States, which Trump referenced in his threat to close the border. This prompted a response from Mexican officials emphasizing good neighborliness. Marcelo Ebrard, the Mexican Foreign Minister, tweeted that Mexico will not take action out of fear of threats. He then stated that Mexico has been a good neighbor to the U.S., evidenced by the presence of one and a half million Americans in Mexico, as it has been the best neighbor they could have. Earlier this week, Kevin McAleenan, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner, stated that the U.S. immigration system has reached a critical stage. Donald Trump also described the country’s immigration laws as the "weakest and most pathetic". One of Trump's main campaign promises during the U.S. presidential election was to prevent illegal immigrants from entering the country. He sees part of the solution as building a border wall with Mexico, which has led to an ongoing struggle between his administration and Congressional Democrats, culminating in his declaration of a national emergency at the southern border to order the construction of the wall.