Trump Threatens to Double Tariffs on Mexico Unless It Stops Migrant Caravan
US President Donald Trump threatened on Thursday to immediately double tariffs on Mexico unless it stops a caravan of nearly 2,000 migrants heading towards the US southern border. The group includes people from Central and South America.
“Mexico must stop them now,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. He said he had notified Mexico, Texas officials, US Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. His post did not specify which tariffs would be doubled.
Trump blamed Republican setbacks in the midterm elections for the formation of new caravans. Fox News reported that some people travelling with the group hoped the Democrats’ gains would improve their chances of starting a new life in the United States. One migrant told the network he believed Democrats would give them that opportunity.
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Texas and Iowa immigration laws face a new test
The midterms could also affect how states defend their immigration laws. In Texas, Democratic Attorney General-elect Nathan Johnson could withdraw the state’s defence of Senate Bill 4 after taking office on January 1, 2027, Fox News reported. The law allows Texas authorities to arrest and prosecute people suspected of crossing the US-Mexico border illegally.
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals allowed the Texas law to take effect in April while a legal challenge continues. Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton remains in office until Johnson is sworn in. Paxton did not seek re-election as attorney general and lost his bid for the US Senate.
In Iowa, the US Supreme Court is weighing whether to hear the state’s appeal of a ruling that blocked a law allowing state authorities to arrest and prosecute people for being in the country illegally. Iowa’s Democratic attorney general-elect, Nate Willems, could choose not to defend the law if the court takes up the case, Fox News reported.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier defended his state’s approach in an interview with Fox News on Wednesday. He rejected the idea of amnesty and credited tighter immigration enforcement with improving public safety in Florida.
With inputs from ANI