GOP presidential frontrunner Donald Trump has finally revealed how he will make Mexico build the border wall for us. Slate’s Jordan Weissmann looks at The Donald’s plan:
Number one on Trump’s to-do list? Build a border wall, and make Mexico pay for it. This is a scheme he has floated before—and Mexico’s President has said that, obviously, his country wouldn’t cooperate—but now he’s detailing more precisely how he’d bludgeon our southerly neighbor into forking over the cash. To wit:
Mexico must pay for the wall and, until they do, the United States will, among other things: impound all remittance payments derived from illegal wages; increase fees on all temporary visas issued to Mexican CEOs and diplomats (and if necessary cancel them); increase fees on all border crossing cards of which we issue about 1 million to Mexican nationals each year (a major source of visa overstays); increase fees on all NAFTA worker visas from Mexico (another major source of overstays); and increase fees at ports of entry to the United States from Mexico [Tariffs and foreign aid cuts are also options]. We will not be taken advantage of anymore.
So, this is what it is. Parts are puzzling. I’m not exactly sure, for instance, how Trump plans to distinguish remittance payments “derived from illegal wages” from regular old remittance payments. But, it’s probably best to pay attention to the broad strokes: If necessary, Trump is happy to start a trade war and diplomatic struggle with Mexico until it funds a fence.
Say what you will about the merits of this idea, as a marketing strategy it’s kind of brilliant. At this point, barking about how we need to build a wall to keep immigrants out is old hat in Republican politics. But demanding that Mexico cover the bill adds a nice, jingoistic edge that freshens the concept up. It’s familiar with a twist.
Which, honestly, kind of describes the overall vibe of Trump’s immigration plan. For instance, he wants to end birthright citizenship. Extreme? Sure. But that’s already a popular idea among certain Republicans in Congress.1 He wants to cut off money to “sanctuary cities” that don’t enforce federal immigration law—and, well, the GOP-led house just passed a bill to do exactly that. He also advocates a bunch of basically standard, hardline positions like increasing deportations and upping the number of ICE officers, and doesn’t mention anything about a path citizenship (though, as Josh Barro recently noted, Trump has made comments suggesting some “flexibility” on that subject). Borrowing from immigration skeptics on the left, he would take steps to curb guest worker visas.
The Democratic National Committee’s Director of Hispanic Media, Pablo Manriquez, responds:
Trump has reignited the GOP’s longstanding obsession with mass deportation. Like his fellow GOP candidates Jeb Bush, Scott Walker, Marco Rubio and others, GOP front runner trump dismisses a full and equal pathway to citizenship for hardworking immigrants. The GOP should quit treating these families as second class citizens and join democrats who support immigrant families and want to keep them together.
This article appears in Aug 13-19, 2015.
Little Jimmie – never miss an opportunity to spread the hate and lies.
“how we need to build a wall to keep immigrants out is old hat in Republican politics.”
That, Little Jimmie, is an out and out lie specifically said to spread hate.
Ever hear of the word ILLEGAL!
What, Again – please explain why Mexico would pay for a fence when most of the people crossing into the United States are not from Mexico? Please do keep up, you big dope. Neither you or that bratty rich kid who never had a job daddy didn’t give him seem to know what’s going on.
The only thing sadder than Trump’s candidacy are the people that take him seriously.
urnumber6 – you must be a romper room toilet buddy with little jimmie since all you can do is call names. Try this…
Revealed: How immigrants in America are sending $120 BILLION to their struggling families back home
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2271455/Revealed-How-immigrants-America-sending-120-BILLION-struggling-families-home.html#ixzz3j60fIYmv
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What, Again – romper room toilet buddy? Is that where the other kids made you eat lunch by yourself?
Oh, sorry urnumber6 – you must have been confused by the number I provided you, too big for ya to comprehend, too big to fit on your EBT card.
120 BILLION DOLLARS. That’s why Mexico will pay for it.
The only thing a wall will do is make the corporations that build it rich.They will use cheap labor as well. Think of all the graft and favoritism in choosing the contractors, especially those who donate to the GOP. What a windfall from a project that will accomplish nothing. Then there is the problem of the Gulf of Mexico. Perhaps Trump will get Mexico to pay for boats to patrol the area.
“That, Little Jimmie, is an out and out lie specifically said to spread hate.”
Lol whut
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0lwusMxiHc
https://youtu.be/IFTwGN46MjI?t=86
http://www.azfamily.com/story/28374411/babeu-to-feds-build-the-dang-fence
https://franks.house.gov/press-release/franks-introduces-national-border-and-homeland-security-act
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/02/20/wheres-the-fence-video-of-angry-resident-confronting-mccain-on-immigration-during-town-hall/
The What Again show ruins every post and dilutes the conversation among people with real things to say.
The real solution, which he’s not mentioned, is enforcement at the employer level (E-Verify). It’s simple and effective. Once that is in place and effective, grant amnesty to long-time residents (the only practical thing to do).
He has made one good point, one that other candidates and the media never discuss: overall immigration rates (legal and illegal) are too high and should be reduced. By any measure immigration is at historic highs and has been for decades. Our policies are overpopulating the country and keeping wages low for the poor and middle class.
Esta loquisimo el Señor Trump. Pobrecito! And this comment is coming from a 7th generation U. S. citizen. Yes, I have great-grandchildren who make it 7 generations. Once in AZ they asked Mexicans to boycott AZ. Guess what happened? Our economy suffered and we were glad to open our doors again to Mexico. How long will it be before he gets institutionalized?
There are some merits in the plan to get neighboring countries to care about illegal immigrants and catch them before they cross the border to our country. While I don’t think Mexico citizens are the majority of the illegal immigrants problem Mexico doesn’t stop other Country immigrants before they make it to the USA border and Mexico has the largest business for human trafficking, attracting other country’s immigrants to travel to Mexico to pay someone to cross them to the USA, a bigger problem that we should be most concerned about since this same smugglers are the ones that are kidnapping our young ones and selling them in the market.
I support Trump. The fact that no other career lobbyist puppet is saying the things that need to be said, gets Trump my vote.
What other candidate has said he is going to send the FBI to the Veterans Administration?
I am tired of the direction America is going. A nation without borders is not a nation.
CAN’T STUMP THE TRUMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Trump has clearly hit a common cord with many… and we need to stop allowing the illegal population to grow like it has. As part of a multi cultured family we see how this impacts us all. Illegals impact the minorities to a greater extent than the majority as they impact the pay scale for the non-professional workers. Having young minority workers in the family they struggle and while we (our government) is there to give illegals benefits, our own won’t even qualify. I have never understood why the Mexican-Americans (for the more part) do not favor a stricter borders, as the pay, jobs and crime impact them the most.
OMG. What do you think his policy toward Iran will be? I used to like Trump. Now I am realizing that he really thinks he is “right” about his foreign policies. Nuclear war could be the price to pay for Trumps inability to see that “a deal” in world wide politics, isn’t a business deal per se. It’s not just about money…it is connection with the people of each country. Why are people supporting him? He takes a situation like immigration and is distorting possibilities of reformation as if he knows what he is doing. He isn’t qualified to be President. AND the media is just giving him way too much coverage.
Not qualified to be President? Have you taken a look around lately?
“IF you like your doctor you can keep your doctor.”
“You have to pass the bill so you can read it.”
Trump is right. We don’t have any issues north of the border to speak of, why is that? Canada is a well run country. Mexico needs to run their country much better and create opportunity for their citizens. They don’t come here for fun, they come for opportunity and to make a living. People should be upset with the Mexican leaders, not Trump. I believe the USA should take a stand on Mexico and force their leaders to make their country better for their citizens. My guess is Mexican citizens would rather stay home, if they had the opportunities to better their lives. Force their leaders to make life better for their own. That is what Trump is trying to do for the USA.
To the commenters on Trump’s foreign policy, you need to realize that Trump is a negotiator, and probably a darn good one. Trump doesn’t walk into a business meeting, and start insulting people. In a debate? Maybe. In a business meeting, I can promise you he is a shark. Being that he is rich, means that he is a person who doesn’t like his time wasted. He’s going to go into foreign policy meetings expecting a result, unlike an idiot liberal politician, who will get nothing done because he/she is afraid of hurting someone’s feelings by actually making a decision. All you doubters of Trump have absolutely no clue what he is capable of doing, and what he can actually get done. Granted, I would like to see more personnel skills in public. However, the more I think about it, are personable Presidents pretty much all we’ve had? And, how many of them have actually gotten anything done that is worthwhile. Obamacare? F that. Worthless. Bill Clinton’s Fair Housing Act? Uh, can anyone says Subprime Mortgage meltdown? Hilary Clinton? How does she NOT make you sick to your stomach? She’s a criminal, proven, several times over. You want something done? Vote Trump.
Trump is wrong.
Trump wants to build that walls but why should Mexico pay for it? Not all immigrants at from Mexico you know. If Trump wins I’m 100% sure that the U.S will become the most hated country. The other candidates at least don’t have time to dye their hair and get a fake tan. Plus 20 years ago he said said he had no intention to run for president and whats is he doing now? Running for president BOOM. The reason why people immigrate is because they want better life and education for their family. The thing that bothers me most is that the fact he called his voters uneducated and their still voting for him. He basically saying his voters are stupid to vote for him. “I love the poorly educated”… #DontVoteForTrump2016
The wall is to keep all foreign illegals from entering the US. Most of them come through Mexico. We are already hated by most every country that we financially support.
Who cares?
Trumpy bumpy grumpy groo a dog lady dont but a katmandu.
Bernie Sanders can do a better job then any other canidate with his eyes closed and one hand tied behind his back . Trump thinks like a boy compared to him . Hilary has become very rich off the Clinton name and thinks she also deserves to be president . She cannot relate to average folk and is offering 4 more years of the same sh#@
Ok. so why not have a more attentive border patrol instead? That is their job. The promise of making Mexico pay is an absurd reason to support him unless its guaranteed. If he can’t force them to pay and they go along with his “punishments” then we’re stuck paying for it. The military budget is also ridiculously over inflated. Unless we decommission every military aircraft tank and vehicle each year, it shouldn’t cost more than a quarter of the current budget to house, train and arm every military personnel. We can use some of that budget or some military presence to watch the borders. There are countless, much more cost effective ways to keep illegals out. Not to mention that Mexicans make up less than half of the illegal immigrants. Instead of being concerned with how the middle east runs their country maybe we should help Mexico stabilize a better order.
@TheDude : you need to realize that this is a job interview. If he can’t compose himself professionally for the biggest job in all of america, then he shouldn’t be running. While I will agree that things do need to be said and addressed, but he’s a tactless bully with no prior political education or experience. He also filed bankruptcy 4 times until he got it right. He doesn’t know how to handle the amount of debt the country holds, so he won’t know what he’s in for until it’s too late and our national debt sky rockets more. There are much much much cheaper alternatives to all of his proposals. People need to research all candidates completely impartial and unbiased before making a decision. everyone should look up “why _______ would be bad for america?” and insert each candidates name. this method will give you all the negatives. and the scary truth is the results for hillary and trump make communism seem appealing.