EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – Some federal and locally elected officials who represent border communities say President Donald Trump’s war on illegal immigration could have dire effects on Americans.
From the U.S.-born child who could see her parents deported to customers of stores forced to raise the price of appliances with parts assembled in Mexico, citizens will bear the cost, the politicos said.
The latest source of concern is looming regulations — and a Republican bill — to strip so-called “sanctuary” cities of federal funding used to provide services to undocumented residents. The threat of a 25% tariff on all Mexican exports to the U.S. is still very much alive despite a 30-day reprieve ending March 1, they said in separate online forums on Thursday.
“I am concerned about the (Department of Justice) memo. I’m even more concerned about the No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act,” said Las Cruces (New Mexico) Mayor Pro Tem Johana Bencomo. “That is a reckless bill that will strip federal funding from our community. […] It’s not just an attack on immigrant communities but on all of our residents.”
The GOP-backed bill introduced in the House on Jan. 3 proposes to make sanctuary jurisdictions (cities, counties, states) ineligible for federal funds that will benefit unauthorized migrants.
Bencomo said the bill becoming law could cost Las Cruces transportation, school and public housing money. It could also strip immigrant women victims of crime and violence of needed services, she said.
The memo she referred to is a directive to the Department of Justice from newly sworn-in Attorney General Pam Bondi to use all available criminal statutes to prosecute illegal immigration.
Separately, Democratic members of Congress representing Texas and California expressed concern for the fate of “Dreamers” (individuals illegally brought into the country when children), farmworkers, the spouses and U.S. born children of deportees due to aggressive enforcement of immigration laws by Trump.
The members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus said they’re also concerned about the pocketbook of Americans as Trump engages in economic brinkmanship with Mexico, Canada and China.
“International trade with Mexico powers our nation’s economy and reduces the cost of everyday goods for all Americans,” said U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez, D-New Mexico. “Trump’s tariffs threaten our economic relationship with Mexico and overnight erases the economic progress we have made with our southern neighbor.”
He said his southern New Mexico constituents worry about tariffs that may drive up costs in their farms, ranches and businesses. Nationwide, major industries like automotive will suffer and pass on their costs to consumer.
“Manufacturing depends on Mexico for auto parts. (In New Mexico), those same parts cross the border several times before reaching their destination. That part is going to be paying tariffs six, seven times.”
Vasquez also is concerned about Mexico countering with tariffs of its own if Trump changes his mind in March. That would mean pecan and alfalfa growers will get a diminishing return on exports to Mexico.
U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, urged Trump to make good on statements on the campaign trail that he was sympathetic to “Dreamers.”
“We are going to hold him to is. Was he serious? If so, want him to work with us. Let’s get that bill to his desk,” she said, adding Democrats would be reintroducing the Dream and Promise Act later this month.
Other CHC members said they want the administration to issue more visas for farmworkers to prevent a labor shortage and keep prices from spiraling out of control.
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