The United States and Mexico reached an agreement on sharing water on Friday (Dec 13). This comes after US President Donald Trump earlier this week threatened his neighbouring nation with additional tariffs, accusing it of violating its “comprehensive water treaty”. In a statement, the US Department of Agriculture said that the US and Mexico reached an understanding regarding the water issue as part of the 1944 Water Treaty.“The United States and Mexico reached an understanding to meet the current water obligations of American farmers and ranchers and for Mexico to repay the water deficit in Texas as part of the 1944 Water Treaty. This agreement extends to the current cycle and the previous cycle’s water deficit,” the department said in a statement.“President Trump continues to put American farmers first and is finally holding our international partners accountable to their obligations and commitments. Once again, America is being treated fairly,” US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins said in a statement. “Farmers across South Texas have been reeling from the uncertainty caused by the lack of water. Now they can expect the resources promised to them, thanks to President Trump’s leadership. I thank Mexico for their willingness to abide by the treaty and return to good standing with their past obligations.”She further added, “Mexico has delivered more water in the last year than in the previous four years combined. Although this is a step in the right direction, President Trump has been very clear: if Mexico continues to violate its commitments, the United States reserves the right and will impose 5% tariffs on Mexican products.”Trump alleged that the violation was “hurting our beautiful Texas crops and livestock”. Giving a deadline of December 31, Trump warned his neighbouring nation of imposing additional tariffs if 200,000 acre-feet of water is not released by them. He added that Mexico has an “obligation” to fix the issue.Under the ‘Treaty on the utilization of waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande’, which was signed in 1944 betwee the two neighbours, Mexico is required to send 1.75 million acre-feet of water to the US from the Rio Grande through a network of interconnected dams and reservoirs every five years, which is used to support agricultural activities in Texas and other US bordering states.“With today’s understanding, Mexico has agreed to release 202,000-acre feet of water to the United States with deliveries expected to begin the week of December 15, 2025. Timely repayment of the outstanding deficit from the previous water cycle is understood by Mexico. The United States and Mexico are in negotiations to finalize a plan by the end of January 2026,” the Department of Agriculture stated.

Trump alleged that the violation was “hurting our beautiful Texas crops and livestock”. Giving a deadline of December 31, Trump warned his neighbouring nation of imposing additional tariffs if 200,000 acre-feet of water is not released by them.

The United States and Mexico reached an agreement on sharing water on Friday (Dec 13). This comes after US President Donald Trump earlier this week threatened his neighbouring nation with additional tariffs, accusing it of violating its “comprehensive water treaty”. In a statement, the US Department of Agriculture said that the US and Mexico reached an understanding regarding the water issue as part of the 1944 Water Treaty. “The United States and Mexico reached an understanding to meet the current water obligations of American farmers and ranchers and for Mexico to repay the water deficit in Texas as part of the 1944 Water Treaty. This agreement extends to the current cycle and the previous cycle’s water deficit,” the department said in a statement. “President Trump continues to put American farmers first and is finally holding our international partners accountable to their obligations and commitments. Once again, America is being treated fairly,” US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins said in a statement. “Farmers across South Texas have been reeling from the uncertainty caused by the lack of water. Now they can expect the resources promised to them, thanks to President Trump’s leadership. I thank Mexico for their willingness to abide by the treaty and return to good standing with their past obligations.” She further added, “Mexico has delivered more water in the last year than in the previous four years combined. Although this is a step in the right direction, President Trump has been very clear: if Mexico continues to violate its commitments, the United States reserves the right and will impose 5% tariffs on Mexican products.” Trump alleged that the violation was “hurting our beautiful Texas crops and livestock”. Giving a deadline of December 31, Trump warned his neighbouring nation of imposing additional tariffs if 200,000 acre-feet of water is not released by them. He added that Mexico has an “obligation” to fix the issue. Under the ‘Treaty on the utilization of waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande’, which was signed in 1944 betwee the two neighbours, Mexico is required to send 1.75 million acre-feet of water to the US from the Rio Grande through a network of interconnected dams and reservoirs every five years, which is used to support agricultural activities in Texas and other US bordering states. “With today’s understanding, Mexico has agreed to release 202,000-acre feet of water to the United States with deliveries expected to begin the week of December 15, 2025. Timely repayment of the outstanding deficit from the previous water cycle is understood by Mexico. The United States and Mexico are in negotiations to finalize a plan by the end of January 2026,” the Department of Agriculture stated.

Trump alleged that the violation was “hurting our beautiful Texas crops and livestock”. Giving a deadline of December 31, Trump warned his neighbouring nation of imposing additional tariffs if 200,000 acre-feet of water is not released by them.

‘American farmers first’: US says Mexico agrees to repay the water deficit after Trump tariff threat

Donald Trump on Monday announced that he would be “OK” with the US carrying out strikes inside Mexico if that’s what it took to curb narcotics entering the country. Speaking to reporters at the White House, he argued that drug trafficking has become so destructive that extraordinary steps should be on the table. When asked directly if he would authorise a US counter drug operation on Mexican soil, Trump said, “Would I launch strikes in Mexico to stop drugs? It's OK with me. Whatever we have to do to stop drugs”.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/newlyweds-stunned-as-trump-crashes-mar-a-lago-wedding-rants-about-getting-into-heaven-watch-video-1763369281472">Newlyweds stunned as Trump crashes Mar-a-Lago wedding, rants about getting into heaven. Watch video</a><h2>So, is the US going to strike Mexico?</h2>Even as he said, he was “OK” with striking inside Mexico, Trump insisted he wasn’t announcing anything, but said he would be “proud” to take such action, “because we're going to save millions of lives by doing it.”Pressed on whether he would only act with Mexico’s permission, Trump refused to give a straight answer and said he “wouldn’t answer that question.” However, he insisted that he has been in contact with Mexican officials and that they know “how I stand.”Trump then claimed the US has mapped out cartel networks down to the last detail. “We’ve stopped the waterways, but we know every route. We know every route, we know the addresses of every drug lord,” he said. “We know their address, we know their front door. We know everything about every one of them. They’re killing our people. That’s like a war. Would I do it? I’d be proud to.”Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-endorses-trump-s-20-point-gaza-peace-plan-which-hamas-says-ignores-political-and-humanitarian-demands-and-rights-of-palestinians-1763425275999">UN endorses Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan which Hamas says does not meet Palestinians' rights</a>Previously, NBC News reported that the administration has been weighing a new strategy that would involve sending US troops and intelligence teams into Mexico to go after cartel leaders. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, meanwhile, has been firm that no foreign military action will happen without her government’s approval.

Donald Trump said he’d be OK with US strikes inside Mexico to curb drug trafficking, calling cartels a war level threat. He stopped short of announcing action but claimed the US has mapped cartel networks.

Donald Trump on Monday announced that he would be “OK” with the US carrying out strikes inside Mexico if that’s what it took to curb narcotics entering the country. Speaking to reporters at the White House, he argued that drug trafficking has become so destructive that extraordinary steps should be on the table. When asked directly if he would authorise a US counter drug operation on Mexican soil, Trump said, “Would I launch strikes in Mexico to stop drugs? It's OK with me. Whatever we have to do to stop drugs”. Also read | Newlyweds stunned as Trump crashes Mar-a-Lago wedding, rants about getting into heaven. Watch video So, is the US going to strike Mexico? Even as he said, he was “OK” with striking inside Mexico, Trump insisted he wasn’t announcing anything, but said he would be “proud” to take such action, “because we're going to save millions of lives by doing it.” Pressed on whether he would only act with Mexico’s permission, Trump refused to give a straight answer and said he “wouldn’t answer that question.” However, he insisted that he has been in contact with Mexican officials and that they know “how I stand.” Trump then claimed the US has mapped out cartel networks down to the last detail. “We’ve stopped the waterways, but we know every route. We know every route, we know the addresses of every drug lord,” he said. “We know their address, we know their front door. We know everything about every one of them. They’re killing our people. That’s like a war. Would I do it? I’d be proud to.” Also read | UN endorses Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan which Hamas says does not meet Palestinians' rights Previously, NBC News reported that the administration has been weighing a new strategy that would involve sending US troops and intelligence teams into Mexico to go after cartel leaders. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, meanwhile, has been firm that no foreign military action will happen without her government’s approval.

Donald Trump said he’d be OK with US strikes inside Mexico to curb drug trafficking, calling cartels a war level threat. He stopped short of announcing action but claimed the US has mapped cartel networks.

Trump says he’d be 'proud' if US carries out strikes inside Mexico. Here's why

US President Joe Biden's administration will block migrants from claiming asylum at the US Mexico border until attempted crossings fall under new actions rolled out on Tuesday.

What does Biden's new asylum ban at the US-Mexico border do?

The Vice-President of the United States Kamala Harris has urged would-be migrants in Guatemala not to try to enter the United States illegally.

'Do not come to US': Kamala Harris tells Guatemala migrants

Two small Ecuadoran girls, three and five years old, were hoisted over and dropped from the top of a 14-foot wall marking the US-Mexican border in the middle of the night before being picked up by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, the agency said Wednesday.&nbsp;

"On Tuesday evening, a Santa Teresa agent utilizing camera technology observed a smuggler dropping two young children from the top of the approximately 14-foot-high (four-meter-high) border barrier," CBP said in a statement.

The children were taken to a CBP station in Santa Teresa, New Mexico to be evaluated by medical personnel, and then were transported to a local hospital as a precaution. CBP said the girls remain in the agency's custody.&nbsp;

"I'm appalled by the way these smugglers viciously dropped innocent children from a 14-foot border barrier last night," chief patrol agent Gloria Chavez said in a statement.&nbsp;

Chavez said US agents are working with Mexican authorities &nbsp;to identify those responsible.

"If not for the vigilance of our agents using mobile technology, these two tender-aged siblings would have been exposed to the harsh elements of desert environment for hours," Chavez said.&nbsp;

The United States is facing an increase of migrant arrivals at the country's southern border, mostly Central Americans who say they are fleeing poverty and violence in their own countries.&nbsp;

Recently, there has been an average of 500 unaccompanied children crossing each day.&nbsp;

President Joe Biden's administration is facing growing pressure to confront the situation and criticisms about how the unaccompanied minors have been cared for while under US government custody.&nbsp;

According to official statistics, the Department of Health and Human Services had 12,918 migrant children in their care as of Tuesday, while CBP was responsible for the care of another 5,285.

Two small Ecuadoran girls, three and five years old, were hoisted over and dropped from the top of a 14-foot wall marking the US-Mexican border in the middle of the night before being picked up by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, the agency said Wednesday.

Two small Ecuadoran girls, three and five years old, were hoisted over and dropped from the top of a 14-foot wall marking the US-Mexican border in the middle of the night before being picked up by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, the agency said Wednesday. "On Tuesday evening, a Santa Teresa agent utilizing camera technology observed a smuggler dropping two young children from the top of the approximately 14-foot-high (four-meter-high) border barrier," CBP said in a statement. The children were taken to a CBP station in Santa Teresa, New Mexico to be evaluated by medical personnel, and then were transported to a local hospital as a precaution. CBP said the girls remain in the agency's custody. "I'm appalled by the way these smugglers viciously dropped innocent children from a 14-foot border barrier last night," chief patrol agent Gloria Chavez said in a statement. Chavez said US agents are working with Mexican authorities to identify those responsible. "If not for the vigilance of our agents using mobile technology, these two tender-aged siblings would have been exposed to the harsh elements of desert environment for hours," Chavez said. The United States is facing an increase of migrant arrivals at the country's southern border, mostly Central Americans who say they are fleeing poverty and violence in their own countries. Recently, there has been an average of 500 unaccompanied children crossing each day. President Joe Biden's administration is facing growing pressure to confront the situation and criticisms about how the unaccompanied minors have been cared for while under US government custody. According to official statistics, the Department of Health and Human Services had 12,918 migrant children in their care as of Tuesday, while CBP was responsible for the care of another 5,285.

Traffickers are dropping children over US-Mexico border wall

The United States and Mexico discussed ways to protect migrants even as the latter's human rights watchdog flagged risks to a new militarised drive to deter Central Americans from entering its territory.

US officials are struggling to house and process an increasing number of unaccompanied children, many of whom have been stuck in jail-like border stations for days while they await placement in overwhelmed government-run shelters.

President Joe Biden, to this end, sent envoys, including his border coordinator Roberta Jacobson, to Mexico on Tuesday to discuss how to tackle a recent jump in migrant arrivals at the US border that have put the new Democratic administration under mounting pressure.

Led for Mexico by Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard, the talks highlighted "humanitarian actions" to promote economic development in Central America to mitigate the root causes of migration, the Mexican foreign ministry said in a statement.

Officials also discussed different mechanisms for "orderly and safe" migration, and the protection of human rights, particularly those of children, his ministry said.

While those discussions were underway, Mexico has also been stepping up operations led by militarised police and soldiers in the south of the country aimed at deterring thousands of Central Americans coming north as they attempt to escape recession, violence and the effects of devastating hurricanes.

Mexico's national human rights commission (CNDH) has demanded the rights of migrants be respected during the new enforcement push, in which security forces are employing drones and night vision goggles to catch people entering the country.

In a statement Tuesday, the CNDH said it would ensure the actions of the authorities strictly adhere to legal norms.

For years, the bulk of people seeking to cross illegally into the United States have come from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and the poorer regions of southern Mexico.

The US government said on Monday it would work with Mexico and Central America to mitigate the causes of migration.

Biden has vowed to adopt a more humanitarian policy towards migrants than his Republican predecessor Donald Trump. Mexico, in turn, has welcomed Biden's efforts, but says the change in policy has also encouraged people to think that it is now easier to enter the United States.

(with inputs from Reuters)

The United States and Mexico discussed ways to protect migrants even as the latter's human rights watchdog flagged risks to a new militarised drive to deter Central Americans from entering its territory.

The United States and Mexico discussed ways to protect migrants even as the latter's human rights watchdog flagged risks to a new militarised drive to deter Central Americans from entering its territory. US officials are struggling to house and process an increasing number of unaccompanied children, many of whom have been stuck in jail-like border stations for days while they await placement in overwhelmed government-run shelters. President Joe Biden, to this end, sent envoys, including his border coordinator Roberta Jacobson, to Mexico on Tuesday to discuss how to tackle a recent jump in migrant arrivals at the US border that have put the new Democratic administration under mounting pressure. Led for Mexico by Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard, the talks highlighted "humanitarian actions" to promote economic development in Central America to mitigate the root causes of migration, the Mexican foreign ministry said in a statement. Officials also discussed different mechanisms for "orderly and safe" migration, and the protection of human rights, particularly those of children, his ministry said. While those discussions were underway, Mexico has also been stepping up operations led by militarised police and soldiers in the south of the country aimed at deterring thousands of Central Americans coming north as they attempt to escape recession, violence and the effects of devastating hurricanes. Mexico's national human rights commission (CNDH) has demanded the rights of migrants be respected during the new enforcement push, in which security forces are employing drones and night vision goggles to catch people entering the country. In a statement Tuesday, the CNDH said it would ensure the actions of the authorities strictly adhere to legal norms. For years, the bulk of people seeking to cross illegally into the United States have come from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and the poorer regions of southern Mexico. The US government said on Monday it would work with Mexico and Central America to mitigate the causes of migration. Biden has vowed to adopt a more humanitarian policy towards migrants than his Republican predecessor Donald Trump. Mexico, in turn, has welcomed Biden's efforts, but says the change in policy has also encouraged people to think that it is now easier to enter the United States. (with inputs from Reuters)

US and Mexico discuss migrant protection amid new deterrence push

Over 4,000 unaccompanied migrant children are currently being by Border Patrol. The number has gone up recently owing to the lack of availability in shelters, CNN reported.

Children are currently arriving at the border in unprecedented numbers, which is causing them to be stationed in jail-like border facilities for long periods of time.

By Sunday, over 4,200 children without any adult supervision were under Border Patrol custody. After being taken into custody of Border Patrol, children are turned over to the Department of Health and Human Services.&nbsp;

The department is usually entrusted with the duty to care for migrant children. But all modus operandi has changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the department being strained to accommodate children at shelters, while ensuring strict coronavirus prevention measures.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/us-orders-emergency-agency-to-help-with-child-migrant-surge-370271" hreflang="en">US orders emergency agency to help with child migrant surge</a>

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over the weekend asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist in taking care and stationing the children.

In a statement, Mayorkas said the following -&nbsp; "I am grateful for the exceptional talent and responsiveness of the FEMA team… I am incredibly proud of the agents of the Border Patrol, who have been working around the clock in difficult circumstances to take care of children temporarily in our care. Yet, as I have said many times, a Border Patrol facility is no place for a child”.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/un-seeks-access-to-migrants-injured-in-yemen-blaze-369384" hreflang="en">UN seeks access to migrants injured in Yemen blaze</a>

Currently, US President Joe Biden is attempting to reverse anti-migrant policies put in place by Donald Trump.&nbsp; Now, the situation is unprecedented. The last time there was a migrant crisis at the border in 2019,&nbsp; 2,600 unaccompanied children were at Border Patrol camps, lesser than the current figure of over 4,000.

Over 4,000 unaccompanied migrant children are currently being by Border Patrol. The number has gone up recently owing to the lack of availability in shelters, CNN reported.

Over 4,000 unaccompanied migrant children are currently being by Border Patrol. The number has gone up recently owing to the lack of availability in shelters, CNN reported. Children are currently arriving at the border in unprecedented numbers, which is causing them to be stationed in jail-like border facilities for long periods of time. By Sunday, over 4,200 children without any adult supervision were under Border Patrol custody. After being taken into custody of Border Patrol, children are turned over to the Department of Health and Human Services. The department is usually entrusted with the duty to care for migrant children. But all modus operandi has changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the department being strained to accommodate children at shelters, while ensuring strict coronavirus prevention measures. Also read: US orders emergency agency to help with child migrant surge Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over the weekend asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist in taking care and stationing the children. In a statement, Mayorkas said the following - "I am grateful for the exceptional talent and responsiveness of the FEMA team… I am incredibly proud of the agents of the Border Patrol, who have been working around the clock in difficult circumstances to take care of children temporarily in our care. Yet, as I have said many times, a Border Patrol facility is no place for a child”. Also read: UN seeks access to migrants injured in Yemen blaze Currently, US President Joe Biden is attempting to reverse anti-migrant policies put in place by Donald Trump. Now, the situation is unprecedented. The last time there was a migrant crisis at the border in 2019, 2,600 unaccompanied children were at Border Patrol camps, lesser than the current figure of over 4,000.

Over 4,000 unaccompanied migrant kids under US Border Patrol custody

Mexico is turning to China to fill a vaccine shortfall with an order for 22 million doses, Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said on Tuesday, a week after U.S. President Joe Biden ruled out sharing vaccines with Mexico in the short term.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador spearheaded efforts to attain more help from China, Ebrard said.

“As a result of a process personally led by the president of the republic, we have received the confirmation that we will have an expansion of up to 22 million doses,” Ebrard said during Lopez Obrador’s regular news conference.

Mexico’s vaccine rollout has been criticized as overly slow, though officials say they’ve been hampered by delays in receiving vaccines amid global shortages.

The Biden administration appeared to have turned down Lopez Obrador’s request, at least in the short term, for the United States to share its vaccines by saying the immediate priority is to inoculate American citizens.

Mexico is now pinning its hopes on receiving some vaccines from the United States once Biden meets his goal of inoculating 100 million Americans in 100 days, a deadline due in late April.

Ebrard said Mexico has placed an order for an additional 10 million doses of China’s Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine to be delivered between May and July, on top of the 10 million already ordered, which are due to arrive between March and May.

Three million doses of China’s CanSino Biologics Inc COVID-19 vaccine are set to arrive in Mexico on Wednesday and will be sent to Queretaro state where they will be packaged, Ebrard said in a Tweet.

Mexico will also order 12 million vaccine doses made by the state-backed China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm) once it has been approved by its health regulator, Ebrard added.

Mexico is turning to China to fill a vaccine shortfall with an order for 22 million doses, Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said on Tuesday, a week after U.S. President Joe Biden ruled out sharing vaccines with Mexico in the short term.

Mexico is turning to China to fill a vaccine shortfall with an order for 22 million doses, Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said on Tuesday, a week after U.S. President Joe Biden ruled out sharing vaccines with Mexico in the short term. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador spearheaded efforts to attain more help from China, Ebrard said. “As a result of a process personally led by the president of the republic, we have received the confirmation that we will have an expansion of up to 22 million doses,” Ebrard said during Lopez Obrador’s regular news conference. Mexico’s vaccine rollout has been criticized as overly slow, though officials say they’ve been hampered by delays in receiving vaccines amid global shortages. The Biden administration appeared to have turned down Lopez Obrador’s request, at least in the short term, for the United States to share its vaccines by saying the immediate priority is to inoculate American citizens. Mexico is now pinning its hopes on receiving some vaccines from the United States once Biden meets his goal of inoculating 100 million Americans in 100 days, a deadline due in late April. Ebrard said Mexico has placed an order for an additional 10 million doses of China’s Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine to be delivered between May and July, on top of the 10 million already ordered, which are due to arrive between March and May. Three million doses of China’s CanSino Biologics Inc COVID-19 vaccine are set to arrive in Mexico on Wednesday and will be sent to Queretaro state where they will be packaged, Ebrard said in a Tweet. Mexico will also order 12 million vaccine doses made by the state-backed China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm) once it has been approved by its health regulator, Ebrard added.

Mexico leans on China after Biden rules out vaccines sharing in short term

Asylum seekers forced to remain in Mexico while their cases are being resolved in the United States will begin to be admitted into the US as of next week, President Joe Biden's administration announced Friday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Biden instructed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) earlier this month to take action to end the controversial "Remain in Mexico" program put in place by his predecessor Donald Trump.&nbsp;&nbsp;

It saw tens of thousands of non-Mexican asylum seekers -- mostly from Central America -- sent back over the border pending the outcome of their asylum applications, creating a humanitarian crisis in the area, exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

"Beginning on February 19, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will begin phase one of a program to restore safe and orderly processing at the southwest border," the agency announced in a statement.

It said there are approximately 25,000 active cases still. Candidates will be tested first for the coronavirus, a senior DHS official who asked not to be identified told reporters.

At least 70,000 people were returned to Mexico under the agreement from January 2019, when the program began to be implemented, through December 2020, according to the NGO American Immigration Council.

US authorities emphasized that they are working closely with the Mexican government and with international organizations and NGOs at the border.&nbsp;&nbsp;

DHS chief Alejandro Mayorkas, who is the first Latino and the first immigrant to head the department, stressed that Washington is committed to "rebuilding a safe, orderly and humane immigration system."&nbsp;&nbsp;

"This latest action is another step in our commitment to reform immigration policies that do not align with our nation's values," Mayorkas said in a statement.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The program was part of Trump's hardline plan to fight illegal immigration, one of the hallmarks of his administration and which included efforts to build a border wall and the policy which separated children from thousands of migrant families.

After Biden took office on January 20, his administration announced that it would reverse the most controversial measures and created a task force to reunite families that remain separated, a policy his administration has termed a "national shame." &nbsp;&nbsp;

On the day Biden was inaugurated, the DHS announced the suspension of new registrations in the "Remain in Mexico" program and asked all those enrolled to stay where they are while waiting to be informed about their cases.&nbsp;

Washington said Friday that those waiting "should not approach the border until instructed to do so."&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Asylum seekers forced to remain in Mexico while their cases are being resolved in the United States will begin to be admitted into the US as of next week, President Joe Biden's administration announced Friday.

Asylum seekers forced to remain in Mexico while their cases are being resolved in the United States will begin to be admitted into the US as of next week, President Joe Biden's administration announced Friday. Biden instructed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) earlier this month to take action to end the controversial "Remain in Mexico" program put in place by his predecessor Donald Trump. It saw tens of thousands of non-Mexican asylum seekers -- mostly from Central America -- sent back over the border pending the outcome of their asylum applications, creating a humanitarian crisis in the area, exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. "Beginning on February 19, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will begin phase one of a program to restore safe and orderly processing at the southwest border," the agency announced in a statement. It said there are approximately 25,000 active cases still. Candidates will be tested first for the coronavirus, a senior DHS official who asked not to be identified told reporters. At least 70,000 people were returned to Mexico under the agreement from January 2019, when the program began to be implemented, through December 2020, according to the NGO American Immigration Council. US authorities emphasized that they are working closely with the Mexican government and with international organizations and NGOs at the border. DHS chief Alejandro Mayorkas, who is the first Latino and the first immigrant to head the department, stressed that Washington is committed to "rebuilding a safe, orderly and humane immigration system." "This latest action is another step in our commitment to reform immigration policies that do not align with our nation's values," Mayorkas said in a statement. The program was part of Trump's hardline plan to fight illegal immigration, one of the hallmarks of his administration and which included efforts to build a border wall and the policy which separated children from thousands of migrant families. After Biden took office on January 20, his administration announced that it would reverse the most controversial measures and created a task force to reunite families that remain separated, a policy his administration has termed a "national shame." On the day Biden was inaugurated, the DHS announced the suspension of new registrations in the "Remain in Mexico" program and asked all those enrolled to stay where they are while waiting to be informed about their cases. Washington said Friday that those waiting "should not approach the border until instructed to do so."

Biden begins dismantling Trump's 'Remain in Mexico' asylum policy

US President-elect Joe Biden told Mexico's president Saturday he was committed to addressing the root causes of poor Latino migrants crossing the border into America.

Outgoing President Donald Trump made tightening the southern frontier against what he called the free and dangerous flow of people entering the US from Mexico and Central America a key pillar of his US-centric policy on immigration, including his fitful plan to build a border wall.

Biden spoke Saturday with President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and emphasized "the need to reinvigorate US-Mexico cooperation to ensure safe and orderly migration," the Biden transition team said in a statement.

"The two leaders noted a shared desire to address the root causes of migration in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and southern Mexico and to build a future of greater opportunity and security for the region," the team said.

The border is a major crossing point for migrants fleeing poverty, drug-related violence and other woes in Mexico and Central America.

Lopez Obrador, a leftist, had cordial relations with Trump but it was only this week that he finally congratulated Biden on his win in the November 3 US election.

US President-elect Joe Biden told Mexico's president Saturday he was committed to addressing the root causes of poor Latino migrants crossing the border into America.

US President-elect Joe Biden told Mexico's president Saturday he was committed to addressing the root causes of poor Latino migrants crossing the border into America. Outgoing President Donald Trump made tightening the southern frontier against what he called the free and dangerous flow of people entering the US from Mexico and Central America a key pillar of his US-centric policy on immigration, including his fitful plan to build a border wall. Biden spoke Saturday with President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and emphasized "the need to reinvigorate US-Mexico cooperation to ensure safe and orderly migration," the Biden transition team said in a statement. "The two leaders noted a shared desire to address the root causes of migration in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and southern Mexico and to build a future of greater opportunity and security for the region," the team said. The border is a major crossing point for migrants fleeing poverty, drug-related violence and other woes in Mexico and Central America. Lopez Obrador, a leftist, had cordial relations with Trump but it was only this week that he finally congratulated Biden on his win in the November 3 US election.

Biden and Mexico leader discuss migration

Protesters in Mexico burned effigies of US President Donald Trump and a border patrol agent on the US border on Saturday, urging Americans to reject him at the ballot box on Tuesday.

They were agitated over the Trump administration's migration policies.

A few dozen migrant activists marched to the beach fence separating Mexico from the United States at the border city of Tijuana chanting, "Trump, we won't pay for your wall," then set fire to a crude, besuited effigy of the president on a stick.

Protesters said Democratic challenger Joe Biden has promised them a humanitarian migration reform.

Alongside the Trump effigy, the demonstrators torched a pinata of a border patrol agent, a week after a Mexican man was killed in an altercation with US officials attempting to cross into the United States on the Tijuana-San Diego border.

Trump is seeking re-election as president four years after he won office pledging to stop illegal immigration from Mexico, which he has accused of sending rapists and murderers north.

Insisting Mexico will pay for the border wall he is building between the two countries, Trump has pushed and threatened President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador into tightening up Mexico`s borders against migrants from Central America.

Protesters in Mexico burned effigies of US President Donald Trump and a border patrol agent on the US border on Saturday, urging Americans to reject him at the ballot box on Tuesday.

Protesters in Mexico burned effigies of US President Donald Trump and a border patrol agent on the US border on Saturday, urging Americans to reject him at the ballot box on Tuesday. They were agitated over the Trump administration's migration policies. A few dozen migrant activists marched to the beach fence separating Mexico from the United States at the border city of Tijuana chanting, "Trump, we won't pay for your wall," then set fire to a crude, besuited effigy of the president on a stick. Protesters said Democratic challenger Joe Biden has promised them a humanitarian migration reform. Alongside the Trump effigy, the demonstrators torched a pinata of a border patrol agent, a week after a Mexican man was killed in an altercation with US officials attempting to cross into the United States on the Tijuana-San Diego border. Trump is seeking re-election as president four years after he won office pledging to stop illegal immigration from Mexico, which he has accused of sending rapists and murderers north. Insisting Mexico will pay for the border wall he is building between the two countries, Trump has pushed and threatened President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador into tightening up Mexico`s borders against migrants from Central America.

Protesters in Mexico burn Trump effigy, slam US border policy

The United States` land borders between Canada and Mexico will remain closed to all non-essential travel until Nov. 21, the U.S. Homeland Security Department said Monday.

The extension comes as the United States remains one of the worst-affected countries in the world and is reporting the second-highest number of new cases daily.

"To continue to limit the spread of COVID, the U.S., Mexico, and Canada will extend the restrictions on non-essential travel through Nov. 21. We are working closely with Mexico and Canada to identify safe criteria to ease the restrictions in the future and support our border communities," said U.S. Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf on Twitter.

Mexico’s foreign ministry also confirmed that the measures will remain in place and unchanged until Nov. 21.

Canada`s Public Safety Minister Bill Blair earlier disclosed the latest one-month extension on Twitter, confirming a policy put in place in March to control the spread of COVID-19.

"We`d love to have the border open ... but we can`t do that unless we`re comfortable that Canadians are being kept safe," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in an interview on AM 900 CHML Hamilton radio earlier on Monday.

"Right now, the situation in the United States continues to be of concern," Trudeau added.

Last month, on the day the border extension was confirmed, U.S. President Donald Trump said it would open "pretty soon" because Canada wanted the restrictions lifted. But Canada`s government has made it clear it does not want the restrictions removed until COVID-19 is under control in both countries.

The restrictions are particularly painful for U.S. and Canadian towns along the border that are tightly intertwined. 
Statistics Canada said earlier U.S. visits to Canada by automobile had plummeted by more than 95% in August compared with August 2019.

The United States` land borders between Canada and Mexico will remain closed to all non-essential travel until Nov. 21, the U.S. Homeland Security Department said Monday.

The United States` land borders between Canada and Mexico will remain closed to all non-essential travel until Nov. 21, the U.S. Homeland Security Department said Monday. The extension comes as the United States remains one of the worst-affected countries in the world and is reporting the second-highest number of new cases daily. "To continue to limit the spread of COVID, the U.S., Mexico, and Canada will extend the restrictions on non-essential travel through Nov. 21. We are working closely with Mexico and Canada to identify safe criteria to ease the restrictions in the future and support our border communities," said U.S. Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf on Twitter. Mexico’s foreign ministry also confirmed that the measures will remain in place and unchanged until Nov. 21. Canada`s Public Safety Minister Bill Blair earlier disclosed the latest one-month extension on Twitter, confirming a policy put in place in March to control the spread of COVID-19. "We`d love to have the border open ... but we can`t do that unless we`re comfortable that Canadians are being kept safe," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in an interview on AM 900 CHML Hamilton radio earlier on Monday. "Right now, the situation in the United States continues to be of concern," Trudeau added. Last month, on the day the border extension was confirmed, U.S. President Donald Trump said it would open "pretty soon" because Canada wanted the restrictions lifted. But Canada`s government has made it clear it does not want the restrictions removed until COVID-19 is under control in both countries. The restrictions are particularly painful for U.S. and Canadian towns along the border that are tightly intertwined. Statistics Canada said earlier U.S. visits to Canada by automobile had plummeted by more than 95% in August compared with August 2019.

US borders with Canada, Mexico to stay closed to non-essential travel until Nov 21

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday agreed to decide the legality of one of President Donald Trump`s hardline immigration policies that has forced tens of thousands of migrants along the southern border to wait in Mexico, rather than entering the United States, while their asylum claims are processed.

The justices will hear a Trump administration appeal of a 2019 lower court ruling that found the policy likely violated federal immigration law. The program, called Migrant Protection Protocols, remains in effect because the Supreme Court in March put the lower court`s decision to block the policy on hold while the legal battle continues.

The Republican president has said the "remain in Mexico" policy, which took effect in January 2019, has reduced the flow of migrants from Central America into the United States. Restricting both illegal and legal immigration has been a central theme of Trump`s presidency. He has sought to reduce asylum claims through a series of policy and rule changes.

Immigration advocacy groups and 11 individual asylum seekers who fled violence in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras were returned to Mexico after entering the United States filed suit to challenge the legality of the policy.

The "remain in Mexico" policy, which represented a fundamental change to previous U.S. practice, is one of the steps Trump has taken to try to prevent large-scale migration from Central America and other countries across the U.S.-Mexican border. His administration has said allowing the thousands of asylum seekers across the border would swamp the U.S. immigration system and damage American relations with Mexico.

A federal judge blocked the program nationwide, saying that forcing these asylum applicants to wait in Mexico was contrary to the text of the Immigration and Nationality Act and violated treaty-based obligations to not send refugees back to the dangerous countries from which they came.

The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in February partially upheld that ruling. The Supreme Court then put the injunction on hold, allowing the Trump administration to continue to carry out the asylum policy.

Migrants in the program, many of them children, have faced violence and homelessness in Mexico while awaiting court dates. Human rights groups have documented cases of kidnappings, rapes and assaults.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday agreed to decide the legality of one of President Donald Trump`s hardline immigration policies that has forced tens of thousands of migrants along the southern border to wait in Mexico, rather than entering the United States, while their asylum claims are processed.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday agreed to decide the legality of one of President Donald Trump`s hardline immigration policies that has forced tens of thousands of migrants along the southern border to wait in Mexico, rather than entering the United States, while their asylum claims are processed. The justices will hear a Trump administration appeal of a 2019 lower court ruling that found the policy likely violated federal immigration law. The program, called Migrant Protection Protocols, remains in effect because the Supreme Court in March put the lower court`s decision to block the policy on hold while the legal battle continues. The Republican president has said the "remain in Mexico" policy, which took effect in January 2019, has reduced the flow of migrants from Central America into the United States. Restricting both illegal and legal immigration has been a central theme of Trump`s presidency. He has sought to reduce asylum claims through a series of policy and rule changes. Immigration advocacy groups and 11 individual asylum seekers who fled violence in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras were returned to Mexico after entering the United States filed suit to challenge the legality of the policy. The "remain in Mexico" policy, which represented a fundamental change to previous U.S. practice, is one of the steps Trump has taken to try to prevent large-scale migration from Central America and other countries across the U.S.-Mexican border. His administration has said allowing the thousands of asylum seekers across the border would swamp the U.S. immigration system and damage American relations with Mexico. A federal judge blocked the program nationwide, saying that forcing these asylum applicants to wait in Mexico was contrary to the text of the Immigration and Nationality Act and violated treaty-based obligations to not send refugees back to the dangerous countries from which they came. The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in February partially upheld that ruling. The Supreme Court then put the injunction on hold, allowing the Trump administration to continue to carry out the asylum policy. Migrants in the program, many of them children, have faced violence and homelessness in Mexico while awaiting court dates. Human rights groups have documented cases of kidnappings, rapes and assaults.

US Supreme Court to review legality of Trump's 'remain in Mexico' asylum policy

Mexico has alleged that it identified two Mexican migrant women who may have had surgery performed on them without their consent while detained at a US immigration center in the state of Georgia.

The foreign ministry said that while being held at the Irwin center in Georgia, one Mexican woman was reportedly subject to gynaecological surgery without her approval and without receiving post-operative care.

In its statement, the Mexican foreign ministry said the woman was not subject to a hysterectomy -- a surgery to remove the uterus, adding its findings were based on actions taken by consular staff and interviews Mexican officials conducted at the center.

Officials were also verifying the case of a second woman who may have been subject to surgical intervention "without her full consent," without receiving an explanation of the procedure, or her medical diagnosis.

The ministry had last month said it had identified a woman possibly subjected to surgery in the center, but did not specify whether she had given her consent.

The ministry also said it is in touch with a lawyer about a possible class action lawsuit by Mexican women who have been detained at the facility.

In September, a complaint by a whistleblower nurse alleged medical abuse within the Georgia detention center, including unauthorised hysterectomies.

ICE Health Service Corps said in September that since 2018 only two people at the center were referred for hysterectomies, based on approved recommendations by specialists.

Mexico has alleged that it identified two Mexican migrant women who may have had surgery performed on them without their consent while detained at a US immigration center in the state of Georgia.

Mexico has alleged that it identified two Mexican migrant women who may have had surgery performed on them without their consent while detained at a US immigration center in the state of Georgia. The foreign ministry said that while being held at the Irwin center in Georgia, one Mexican woman was reportedly subject to gynaecological surgery without her approval and without receiving post-operative care. In its statement, the Mexican foreign ministry said the woman was not subject to a hysterectomy -- a surgery to remove the uterus, adding its findings were based on actions taken by consular staff and interviews Mexican officials conducted at the center. Officials were also verifying the case of a second woman who may have been subject to surgical intervention "without her full consent," without receiving an explanation of the procedure, or her medical diagnosis. The ministry had last month said it had identified a woman possibly subjected to surgery in the center, but did not specify whether she had given her consent. The ministry also said it is in touch with a lawyer about a possible class action lawsuit by Mexican women who have been detained at the facility. In September, a complaint by a whistleblower nurse alleged medical abuse within the Georgia detention center, including unauthorised hysterectomies. ICE Health Service Corps said in September that since 2018 only two people at the center were referred for hysterectomies, based on approved recommendations by specialists.

Two women may have had non-consensual surgery in US detention centre, Mexico says

The United States on Friday closed lanes at select ports of entry at the border with Mexico and will conduct more secondary checks to limit non-essential travel and the spread of coronavirus, a US&nbsp;Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official said.

Non-essential travel has been restricted at the border since March, but US&nbsp;citizens and permanent residents can still enter the United States from Mexico. The new measures are aimed at those travelers, the CBP official said.

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump, who faces re-election Nov. 3, has taken a series of sweeping steps to scale back immigration during the coronavirus pandemic, including emergency border rules that allow US authorities to rapidly deport migrants arrested at the border.

The United States leads the world with more than 174,000 confirmed deaths from the coronavirus, followed by Brazil with 112,000 and Mexico with 59,000, according to a Reuters tally.

"We need people to think twice about non-essential travel and to ask themselves if the travel is worth risking their lives and the lives of others," El Paso CBP spokesman Roger Maier said in a written statement.

CBP said it would take steps to reduce non-essential travel at more than a dozen border crossings in Texas, Arizona and California. The wait times for passenger vehicles at those ports of entry on Friday evening ranged from no wait to several hours.

The Trump administration had been considering a measure to block US&nbsp;citizens and residents from returning home if they were suspected of being infected with the coronavirus, Reuters reported this month. The plan was blasted by some hospitals, U.S. expats and immigrant advocacy groups.

Senior White House officials have decided against the proposal, according to two officials familiar with the deliberations, although it remains unclear if it could be resurrected.

The United States on Friday closed lanes at select ports of entry at the border with Mexico and will conduct more secondary checks to limit non-essential travel and the spread of coronavirus, a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official said.

The United States on Friday closed lanes at select ports of entry at the border with Mexico and will conduct more secondary checks to limit non-essential travel and the spread of coronavirus, a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official said. Non-essential travel has been restricted at the border since March, but US citizens and permanent residents can still enter the United States from Mexico. The new measures are aimed at those travelers, the CBP official said. US President Donald Trump, who faces re-election Nov. 3, has taken a series of sweeping steps to scale back immigration during the coronavirus pandemic, including emergency border rules that allow US authorities to rapidly deport migrants arrested at the border. The United States leads the world with more than 174,000 confirmed deaths from the coronavirus, followed by Brazil with 112,000 and Mexico with 59,000, according to a Reuters tally. "We need people to think twice about non-essential travel and to ask themselves if the travel is worth risking their lives and the lives of others," El Paso CBP spokesman Roger Maier said in a written statement. CBP said it would take steps to reduce non-essential travel at more than a dozen border crossings in Texas, Arizona and California. The wait times for passenger vehicles at those ports of entry on Friday evening ranged from no wait to several hours. The Trump administration had been considering a measure to block US citizens and residents from returning home if they were suspected of being infected with the coronavirus, Reuters reported this month. The plan was blasted by some hospitals, U.S. expats and immigrant advocacy groups. Senior White House officials have decided against the proposal, according to two officials familiar with the deliberations, although it remains unclear if it could be resurrected.

US closes lanes, adds checks at Mexico border to contain coronavirus

US President Donald Trump has blamed anti-racism protests, travellers from Mexico and young bar-goers for a nationwide surge in coronavirus cases.

Trump sought on Wednesday to explain the rise in confirmed cases across the nation's South, Southwest and West as he held his second briefing ahead of the presidential election in as many days after a three-month hiatus.

Trump said cases among young Americans first started to rise "shortly after demonstrations."

"The protests following the death of George Floyd presumably triggered a broader relaxation of mitigation efforts nationwide. A substantial increase in travel around Memorial Day and summer vacations was also a driver of new cases," he said.

Young people closely congregating at bars and probably other places, maybe beaches, likely also led to new cases, he added.

Trump also blamed travellers crossing the US-Mexico border for spikes, as cases in his neighbouring country were increasing.

US President Donald Trump has blamed anti-racism protests, travellers from Mexico and young bar-goers for a nationwide surge in coronavirus cases. Trump sought on Wednesday to explain the rise in confirmed cases across the nation's South, Southwest and West as he held his second briefing ahead of the presidential election in as many days after a three-month hiatus.

US President Donald Trump has blamed anti-racism protests, travellers from Mexico and young bar-goers for a nationwide surge in coronavirus cases. Trump sought on Wednesday to explain the rise in confirmed cases across the nation's South, Southwest and West as he held his second briefing ahead of the presidential election in as many days after a three-month hiatus. Trump said cases among young Americans first started to rise "shortly after demonstrations." "The protests following the death of George Floyd presumably triggered a broader relaxation of mitigation efforts nationwide. A substantial increase in travel around Memorial Day and summer vacations was also a driver of new cases," he said. Young people closely congregating at bars and probably other places, maybe beaches, likely also led to new cases, he added. Trump also blamed travellers crossing the US-Mexico border for spikes, as cases in his neighbouring country were increasing.

Trump blames anti-racism protests, Mexico travellers for surge in COVID cases

Defying warnings that to seek out Donald Trump was to court disaster, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador instead emerged from their first meeting as a "cherished friend" of his U.S. counterpart, even as some Democrats looked on uneasily.

The spectacle of Lopez Obrador and Trump lavishing praise on each other on Wednesday was a far cry from the tension that has plagued bilateral ties since the American launched his bid for power in 2015 with repeated threats and jibes against Mexico.

Meeting at the White House, the two leaders pledged to strengthen economic ties, and largely avoided the subject of immigration that Trump has used to extract concessions from Mexico on border security and trade since he took office in 2017.

"The forecasts were wrong. We didn`t fight. We`re friends and we`re going to continue being friends," Lopez Obrador said, the leftist leader facing Trump as the two addressed the media before a dinner at the White House.

But while Mexican officials celebrated the generous words and warm sentiments, some Democratic lawmakers expressed concern that the encounter had been little more than a campaign ploy by the Republican Trump as he seeks to secure re-election in November.

"I think the meeting, for the most part, was a dog and pony show," Jesus Garcia, a Mexican-born Democratic congressman from Illinois, told cable TV network C-SPAN.

"It`s also very telling that President Lopez Obrador would come and only meet with President Trump and not even arrange for a phone call with (Joe) Biden," he added.

Lopez Obrador said he would take no sides in the U.S. election and that it would not be right for him to speak to former Vice President Biden as the Democratic presidential candidate because he was on a work visit to Washington.

Garcia was one of more than a dozen members of the Hispanic Caucus - all of them Democrats - who in a letter had urged Trump to cancel the meeting, which they condemned as an attempt to distract from the coronavirus pandemic and to politicise U.S.-Mexico relations.

The United States is home to more than 35 million people of Mexican origin and critics of both leaders fear the get-together could help Trump woo voters from that community.

ABOUT-TURN

Trump described Mexican migrants as rapists and drug runners during his last election campaign, promising to keep them out with a border wall which he said Mexico would pay for.

Biden himself pointed to this in a terse statement issued shortly after the two leaders met.

On Wednesday, Trump struck a quite different tone, referring to Lopez Obrador and Mexico as "cherished friends."

"Mexican Americans uplift our communities and they strengthen our churches and enrich every feature of national life," Trump said. "They are hardworking, incredible people."

While in opposition, Lopez Obrador compared Trump to Adolf Hitler for his treatment of migrants. He pledged to defend them if he won the presidency, which he did in July 2018.

On Wednesday, Lopez Obrador thanked Trump for treating Mexico with "kindness and respect."

That angered domestic critics of the Mexican leader, who were also upset he did not publicly bring up the wall, or Trump`s attempts to repeal a program that has protected so-called Dreamer immigrants in the United States, many of Mexican origin.

In a statement, Sylvia Garcia, a Democratic congresswoman from Texas, expressed dismay that immigration had been ignored at the meeting, which she saw as "another White House photo op."

Even if Lopez Obrador`s intention had been to defend Mexico, his support for Trump only made it more likely that the real estate mogul would serve another four years, said Andres Rozental, a former Mexican deputy foreign minister.

"Trump has been bad news for Mexico for five years," said Rozental. "I`m afraid ... that he will use this to his political advantage and that we will be caught in the crosshairs again."

If Biden, who is leading in U.S. opinion polls, defeats Trump in November, Wednesday`s scenes in Washington could weigh on relations with a Democratic administration, said Jorge Buendia, head of Mexican polling firm Buendia &amp; Laredo.

A Democratic government may also be less indulgent toward Lopez Obrador on his nationalist energy agenda, which has threatened major investments in renewable power generation, a key issue for many on the left of the U.S. political spectrum.

Defying warnings that to seek out Donald Trump was to court disaster, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador instead emerged from their first meeting as a "cherished friend" of his U.

Defying warnings that to seek out Donald Trump was to court disaster, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador instead emerged from their first meeting as a "cherished friend" of his U.S. counterpart, even as some Democrats looked on uneasily. The spectacle of Lopez Obrador and Trump lavishing praise on each other on Wednesday was a far cry from the tension that has plagued bilateral ties since the American launched his bid for power in 2015 with repeated threats and jibes against Mexico. Meeting at the White House, the two leaders pledged to strengthen economic ties, and largely avoided the subject of immigration that Trump has used to extract concessions from Mexico on border security and trade since he took office in 2017. "The forecasts were wrong. We didn`t fight. We`re friends and we`re going to continue being friends," Lopez Obrador said, the leftist leader facing Trump as the two addressed the media before a dinner at the White House. But while Mexican officials celebrated the generous words and warm sentiments, some Democratic lawmakers expressed concern that the encounter had been little more than a campaign ploy by the Republican Trump as he seeks to secure re-election in November. "I think the meeting, for the most part, was a dog and pony show," Jesus Garcia, a Mexican-born Democratic congressman from Illinois, told cable TV network C-SPAN. "It`s also very telling that President Lopez Obrador would come and only meet with President Trump and not even arrange for a phone call with (Joe) Biden," he added. Lopez Obrador said he would take no sides in the U.S. election and that it would not be right for him to speak to former Vice President Biden as the Democratic presidential candidate because he was on a work visit to Washington. Garcia was one of more than a dozen members of the Hispanic Caucus - all of them Democrats - who in a letter had urged Trump to cancel the meeting, which they condemned as an attempt to distract from the coronavirus pandemic and to politicise U.S.-Mexico relations. The United States is home to more than 35 million people of Mexican origin and critics of both leaders fear the get-together could help Trump woo voters from that community. ABOUT-TURN Trump described Mexican migrants as rapists and drug runners during his last election campaign, promising to keep them out with a border wall which he said Mexico would pay for. Biden himself pointed to this in a terse statement issued shortly after the two leaders met. On Wednesday, Trump struck a quite different tone, referring to Lopez Obrador and Mexico as "cherished friends." "Mexican Americans uplift our communities and they strengthen our churches and enrich every feature of national life," Trump said. "They are hardworking, incredible people." While in opposition, Lopez Obrador compared Trump to Adolf Hitler for his treatment of migrants. He pledged to defend them if he won the presidency, which he did in July 2018. On Wednesday, Lopez Obrador thanked Trump for treating Mexico with "kindness and respect." That angered domestic critics of the Mexican leader, who were also upset he did not publicly bring up the wall, or Trump`s attempts to repeal a program that has protected so-called Dreamer immigrants in the United States, many of Mexican origin. In a statement, Sylvia Garcia, a Democratic congresswoman from Texas, expressed dismay that immigration had been ignored at the meeting, which she saw as "another White House photo op." Even if Lopez Obrador`s intention had been to defend Mexico, his support for Trump only made it more likely that the real estate mogul would serve another four years, said Andres Rozental, a former Mexican deputy foreign minister. "Trump has been bad news for Mexico for five years," said Rozental. "I`m afraid ... that he will use this to his political advantage and that we will be caught in the crosshairs again." If Biden, who is leading in U.S. opinion polls, defeats Trump in November, Wednesday`s scenes in Washington could weigh on relations with a Democratic administration, said Jorge Buendia, head of Mexican polling firm Buendia & Laredo. A Democratic government may also be less indulgent toward Lopez Obrador on his nationalist energy agenda, which has threatened major investments in renewable power generation, a key issue for many on the left of the U.S. political spectrum.

Mexican president exits Trump embrace smiling, Democrats grumble

In the weeks before <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dont-do-it-trump-warns-russia-syria-iran-against-killing-civilians-in-idlib-270437">US&nbsp;President Donald Trump</a>’s declaration last month that he would forge ahead with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-pulls-back-on-designating-mexico-cartels-as-terror-groups-266750">designating Mexican drug cartels</a> as foreign terrorist organisations, Cabinet members and top aides from across the government recommended against it, five people knowledgeable about the matter told Reuters.

The recommendations, which some of the sources described as unanimous, have not been reported previously. They were driven in part by concerns that such designations could harm US-Mexico ties, potentially jeopardizing Mexico’s cooperation with Trump’s efforts to halt illegal immigration and drug trafficking across the border, said two sources, including a senior administration official.

Another key concern was that the designations could make it easier for migrants to win asylum in the United States by claiming they were fleeing terrorism, the senior administration official and two other sources said.

Stephen Miller, one of the most influential White House advisers and the architect of Trump's policies to stem immigration, was among the officials who voiced concerns during deliberations that preceded two high-level meetings resulting in recommendations to shelve the designation plan, according to two of the sources.

The White House and Miller declined to comment on the record. All of the sources who spoke to Reuters requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the issue publicly.

Reuters could not determine whether the president had been briefed on the recommendations before announcing, during a November&nbsp;26 interview with conservative commentator Bill O’Reilly, that he was going forward with the plan.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Less than two weeks a later, on December&nbsp;9, the president tweeted that he was temporarily delaying the plan at Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s request.

The senior administration official portrayed the president’s announcement not as a reversal but as a strategic move.

“Even the threat of designation was extremely useful leverage in terms of obtaining further cooperation” from Mexico, the official said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The official said that reviving the plan remains “a live possibility” depending on Mexico’s cooperation on such issues as sealing the border to narcotics trafficking and controlling immigration.

The <a href="wionews.com/world/mexico-accuses-bolivia-of-intimidating-its-diplomats-in-la-paz-269871">Mexican government</a> has argued that equating drug cartels with Islamic State and al Qaeda could open the door to US&nbsp;military intervention.

In a meeting with Attorney General William Barr on December&nbsp;5, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-killed-2-injured-in-shooting-near-mexicos-presidential-residence-266902">President Lopez Obrador</a> expressed opposition to the designation plan, saying the Mexican constitution would not permit such foreign interference, a presidential spokesman told Reuters Tuesday. After the plan was delayed, Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard tweeted his appreciation of Trump's decision, saying "there will be good results."

Crackdown hinged on cooperation

Trump has made halting illegal immigration and narcotics trafficking across the US-Mexican border a signature issue of his first term and his 2020 re-election campaign.

Designating a group as a foreign terrorist organization, or FTO, is aimed at disrupting its finances through sanctions, including asset freezes and travel bans, on their members and associates. The State Department oversees the process.

The success of Trump’s immigration crackdown hinges, however, on Mexico’s cooperation. Earlier this year, Mexico agreed to deploy thousands of national guard troops to intercept migrants moving north toward the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-the-us-mexican-border-migrants-give-up-hope-of-crossing-269434">US&nbsp;border</a> after the American president threatened to impose escalating tariffs on Mexican goods.

In addition, Mexico has taken in tens of thousands of migrants sent back from the United States to await decisions on their US&nbsp;asylum requests.

The senior administration official said Trump and many top aides have wanted to crack down on cartel trafficking in narcotics and illegal immigration for some time and were looking at novel approaches, including the FTO designation plan.

The president and senior officials believed that they needed “to have an extremely aggressive posture toward the cartels and to look at using tools that had not been used before,” he said.

Two Republican members of the US&nbsp;House of Representatives introduced legislation in March that also would have established an FTO designation for cartels.

The Trump administration began working on its plan in late August, Trump told O’Reilly in the November&nbsp;26 interview, before declaring that&nbsp;the cartels “will be designated” as FTOs.

Unanimous opposition

A few weeks earlier, according to two former officials and another knowledgeable person, deputies to Cabinet members recommended in a meeting that the administration’s plan be shelved. The November&nbsp;8 meeting was held four days after nine American women and children died in an ambush linked to what Mexican officials asserted was a territorial dispute between rival gangs in northern Mexico.

Miller attended the meeting and the decision was unanimous, according to one source.

Participants at a November&nbsp;20 Cabinet-level meeting also advised against the proposal, according to four sources. That decision, too, was unanimous and Miller was there, two of the sources said.

The agencies represented at the meetings included the departments of State, Justice, Homeland Security, Defense, Treasury and Commerce, one administration official said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Numerous current and former US&nbsp;officials and other experts say that designating Mexican cartels as FTOs would be counter-productive.

Several pointed out that a 1999 law allowing US&nbsp;officials to designate foreign drug traffickers as narcotics kingpins already allow the imposition of sanctions similar to those authorized by an FTO designation.

The senior administration official said that US&nbsp;officials’ ability to use the 1999 law contributed to the decision to delay the FTO designation plan.

A December&nbsp;19 report published by the conservative Heritage Foundation warned that designating cartels as FTOs would weaken Trump’s immigration policies.

“A terrorist designation could allow unintended numbers to apply for political asylum in the US,” said the report. “The pool of applicants could logically extend beyond Mexico. While Mexican cartels’ territorial stronghold is within their own country, they have representatives on every continent except Antarctica.”

Jason Blazakis, who oversaw the designation process at the State Department’s Counter-Terrorism Bureau from 2008-2018, said that in addition to damaging <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-deports-mexicans-far-from-border-may-send-others-to-guatemala-269267">US-Mexican relations</a>, the FTO designation could hurt Mexico’s economy by prompting foreign businesses to leave the country or reconsider investing there.

Asset freezes and bans on travel to the US&nbsp;could affect Mexican officials, military commanders, and businessmen in league with the cartels.

“You are blurring the lines between criminality and terrorism and that is extremely problematic,” said Blazakis, now a professor of international relations at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California.

He added: "There are hundreds of Brazilian gangs eligible for the list. There are numerous Chinese and Russian criminal gangs eligible for the list. Where would you stop?”&nbsp;&nbsp;

In the weeks before US President Donald Trump’s declaration last month that he would forge ahead with designating Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organisations, Cabinet members and top aides from across the government recommended against it, five people knowledgeable about the matter told Reuters.

In the weeks before US President Donald Trump’s declaration last month that he would forge ahead with designating Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organisations, Cabinet members and top aides from across the government recommended against it, five people knowledgeable about the matter told Reuters. The recommendations, which some of the sources described as unanimous, have not been reported previously. They were driven in part by concerns that such designations could harm US-Mexico ties, potentially jeopardizing Mexico’s cooperation with Trump’s efforts to halt illegal immigration and drug trafficking across the border, said two sources, including a senior administration official. Another key concern was that the designations could make it easier for migrants to win asylum in the United States by claiming they were fleeing terrorism, the senior administration official and two other sources said. Stephen Miller, one of the most influential White House advisers and the architect of Trump's policies to stem immigration, was among the officials who voiced concerns during deliberations that preceded two high-level meetings resulting in recommendations to shelve the designation plan, according to two of the sources. The White House and Miller declined to comment on the record. All of the sources who spoke to Reuters requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the issue publicly. Reuters could not determine whether the president had been briefed on the recommendations before announcing, during a November 26 interview with conservative commentator Bill O’Reilly, that he was going forward with the plan. Less than two weeks a later, on December 9, the president tweeted that he was temporarily delaying the plan at Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s request. The senior administration official portrayed the president’s announcement not as a reversal but as a strategic move. “Even the threat of designation was extremely useful leverage in terms of obtaining further cooperation” from Mexico, the official said. The official said that reviving the plan remains “a live possibility” depending on Mexico’s cooperation on such issues as sealing the border to narcotics trafficking and controlling immigration. The Mexican government has argued that equating drug cartels with Islamic State and al Qaeda could open the door to US military intervention. In a meeting with Attorney General William Barr on December 5, President Lopez Obrador expressed opposition to the designation plan, saying the Mexican constitution would not permit such foreign interference, a presidential spokesman told Reuters Tuesday. After the plan was delayed, Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard tweeted his appreciation of Trump's decision, saying "there will be good results." Crackdown hinged on cooperation Trump has made halting illegal immigration and narcotics trafficking across the US-Mexican border a signature issue of his first term and his 2020 re-election campaign. Designating a group as a foreign terrorist organization, or FTO, is aimed at disrupting its finances through sanctions, including asset freezes and travel bans, on their members and associates. The State Department oversees the process. The success of Trump’s immigration crackdown hinges, however, on Mexico’s cooperation. Earlier this year, Mexico agreed to deploy thousands of national guard troops to intercept migrants moving north toward the US border after the American president threatened to impose escalating tariffs on Mexican goods. In addition, Mexico has taken in tens of thousands of migrants sent back from the United States to await decisions on their US asylum requests. The senior administration official said Trump and many top aides have wanted to crack down on cartel trafficking in narcotics and illegal immigration for some time and were looking at novel approaches, including the FTO designation plan. The president and senior officials believed that they needed “to have an extremely aggressive posture toward the cartels and to look at using tools that had not been used before,” he said. Two Republican members of the US House of Representatives introduced legislation in March that also would have established an FTO designation for cartels. The Trump administration began working on its plan in late August, Trump told O’Reilly in the November 26 interview, before declaring that the cartels “will be designated” as FTOs. Unanimous opposition A few weeks earlier, according to two former officials and another knowledgeable person, deputies to Cabinet members recommended in a meeting that the administration’s plan be shelved. The November 8 meeting was held four days after nine American women and children died in an ambush linked to what Mexican officials asserted was a territorial dispute between rival gangs in northern Mexico. Miller attended the meeting and the decision was unanimous, according to one source. Participants at a November 20 Cabinet-level meeting also advised against the proposal, according to four sources. That decision, too, was unanimous and Miller was there, two of the sources said. The agencies represented at the meetings included the departments of State, Justice, Homeland Security, Defense, Treasury and Commerce, one administration official said. Numerous current and former US officials and other experts say that designating Mexican cartels as FTOs would be counter-productive. Several pointed out that a 1999 law allowing US officials to designate foreign drug traffickers as narcotics kingpins already allow the imposition of sanctions similar to those authorized by an FTO designation. The senior administration official said that US officials’ ability to use the 1999 law contributed to the decision to delay the FTO designation plan. A December 19 report published by the conservative Heritage Foundation warned that designating cartels as FTOs would weaken Trump’s immigration policies. “A terrorist designation could allow unintended numbers to apply for political asylum in the US,” said the report. “The pool of applicants could logically extend beyond Mexico. While Mexican cartels’ territorial stronghold is within their own country, they have representatives on every continent except Antarctica.” Jason Blazakis, who oversaw the designation process at the State Department’s Counter-Terrorism Bureau from 2008-2018, said that in addition to damaging US-Mexican relations, the FTO designation could hurt Mexico’s economy by prompting foreign businesses to leave the country or reconsider investing there. Asset freezes and bans on travel to the US could affect Mexican officials, military commanders, and businessmen in league with the cartels. “You are blurring the lines between criminality and terrorism and that is extremely problematic,” said Blazakis, now a professor of international relations at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California. He added: "There are hundreds of Brazilian gangs eligible for the list. There are numerous Chinese and Russian criminal gangs eligible for the list. Where would you stop?”

After Cabinet opposed Mexican cartel policy, Trump forged ahead

Understanding US-Mexico immigration deal and what drives Central American families to migrate

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-mulling-over-declaring-new-emergency-for-imposing-tariffs-on-mexico-225116">US President Donald Trump</a> said on Friday Mexico`s government had reached a deal with the United States to avert a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-adviser-influential-senator-cast-doubt-on-mexico-tariffs-224742">tariff war </a>by pledging to take "strong measures" to contain migration of mostly Central Americans crossing the southern US border.

Trump had threatened to impose 5 per cent&nbsp;import tariffs on all Mexican goods from Monday if Mexico did not agree to his demands to tighten its borders, and his announcement of a deal came after three days of Mexico-US&nbsp;negotiations in Washington.

"The Tariffs scheduled to be implemented by the US on Monday, against Mexico, are hereby indefinitely suspended," Trump said on Twitter on Friday evening.

"Mexico, in turn, has agreed to take strong measures to stem the tide of Migration through Mexico, and to our Southern Border. This is being done to greatly reduce, or eliminate, Illegal Immigration coming from Mexico and into the United States," Trump added.

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I am pleased to inform you that The United States of America has reached a signed agreement with Mexico. The Tariffs scheduled to be implemented by the U.S. on Monday, against Mexico, are hereby indefinitely suspended. Mexico, in turn, has agreed to take strong measures to....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1137155056044826626?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2019</a></blockquote>
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....stem the tide of Migration through Mexico, and to our Southern Border. This is being done to greatly reduce, or eliminate, Illegal Immigration coming from Mexico and into the United States. Details of the agreement will be released shortly by the State Department. Thank you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1137155057667989511?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Details of the agreement would be released shortly by the USState Department, Trump said.

US border officers apprehended more than 132,000 people crossing from Mexico in May, the highest monthly level since 2006, and Trump, who has railed against what he describes as an "invasion," had threatened to impose levies rising to 25 per cent&nbsp;unless Mexico addressed the problem.

Mexico made concessions during the talks, offering to send 6,000 troops to its southern border with Guatemala, but has also said it wants to see a long-term solution that would involve economic development aid.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday Mexico`s government had reached a deal with the United States to avert a tariff war by pledging to take "strong measures" to contain migration of mostly Central Americans crossing the southern US border.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday Mexico`s government had reached a deal with the United States to avert a tariff war by pledging to take "strong measures" to contain migration of mostly Central Americans crossing the southern US border. Trump had threatened to impose 5 per cent import tariffs on all Mexican goods from Monday if Mexico did not agree to his demands to tighten its borders, and his announcement of a deal came after three days of Mexico-US negotiations in Washington. "The Tariffs scheduled to be implemented by the US on Monday, against Mexico, are hereby indefinitely suspended," Trump said on Twitter on Friday evening. "Mexico, in turn, has agreed to take strong measures to stem the tide of Migration through Mexico, and to our Southern Border. This is being done to greatly reduce, or eliminate, Illegal Immigration coming from Mexico and into the United States," Trump added. I am pleased to inform you that The United States of America has reached a signed agreement with Mexico. The Tariffs scheduled to be implemented by the U.S. on Monday, against Mexico, are hereby indefinitely suspended. Mexico, in turn, has agreed to take strong measures to.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 8, 2019 × ....stem the tide of Migration through Mexico, and to our Southern Border. This is being done to greatly reduce, or eliminate, Illegal Immigration coming from Mexico and into the United States. Details of the agreement will be released shortly by the State Department. Thank you! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 8, 2019 × Details of the agreement would be released shortly by the USState Department, Trump said. US border officers apprehended more than 132,000 people crossing from Mexico in May, the highest monthly level since 2006, and Trump, who has railed against what he describes as an "invasion," had threatened to impose levies rising to 25 per cent unless Mexico addressed the problem. Mexico made concessions during the talks, offering to send 6,000 troops to its southern border with Guatemala, but has also said it wants to see a long-term solution that would involve economic development aid.

Mexico reaches deal with US on migration, averts tariff war: Trump

Mexico`s Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said he started negotiating with officials in Washington on Friday after US President Donald Trump<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-plans-5-tariff-on-mexican-imports-over-illegal-immigration-222998"> threatened tariffs on imports </a>of Mexican products but face-to-face talks will not happen until next week.&nbsp;

Ebrard said on Twitter that he had spoken to senior White House adviser Jared Kushner and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo by phone, and that there was a willingness to resolve the dispute.

"The negotiations have started," Ebrard said before boarding a plane to Washington. "I heard interest and respect about the letter from President Lopez Obrador. We are moving forward."

However, Ebrard said in-person talks would not take place until Wednesday in Washington, and that Pompeo would lead the US delegation. Ebrard will be accompanied by deputy foreign minister for North America, Jesus Seade, a veteran trade negotiator.&nbsp;

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said earlier on Friday that he would respond with "great prudence" to Trump`s threats to impose punitive tariffs on Mexican products on June 10.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-eyes-steps-to-cut-immigrant-flows-to-us-border-official-223382">Mexico eyes steps to cut immigrant flows to US border: Official</a>

Trump has accused Mexico of not doing enough to stop the flow of illegal immigration from Central America to the United States but Lopez Obrador said his migration policy was already producing results.&nbsp;

Mexico`s Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said he started negotiating with officials in Washington on Friday after US President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on imports of Mexican products but face-to-face talks will not happen until next week.

Mexico`s Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said he started negotiating with officials in Washington on Friday after US President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on imports of Mexican products but face-to-face talks will not happen until next week. Ebrard said on Twitter that he had spoken to senior White House adviser Jared Kushner and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo by phone, and that there was a willingness to resolve the dispute. "The negotiations have started," Ebrard said before boarding a plane to Washington. "I heard interest and respect about the letter from President Lopez Obrador. We are moving forward." However, Ebrard said in-person talks would not take place until Wednesday in Washington, and that Pompeo would lead the US delegation. Ebrard will be accompanied by deputy foreign minister for North America, Jesus Seade, a veteran trade negotiator. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said earlier on Friday that he would respond with "great prudence" to Trump`s threats to impose punitive tariffs on Mexican products on June 10. Also read: Mexico eyes steps to cut immigrant flows to US border: Official Trump has accused Mexico of not doing enough to stop the flow of illegal immigration from Central America to the United States but Lopez Obrador said his migration policy was already producing results.

The negotiations have started, we are moving forward: Mexican minister on US

United States President Donald Trump reportedly told his Mexican counterpart to tackle the &quot;bad hombres&quot; or they would have to intervene during a telephonic conversation last week.

Although it remains unclear as to who he meant by &quot;bad hombres&quot;, Mexican journalist Dol&iacute;a Est&eacute;vez said he was referring to the drug cartels operating in Mexico.

The transcript, based on a leaked White House document, documents Trump telling Mexican President&nbsp;Enrique Pe&ntilde;a Nieto: &quot;You have a bunch of bad hombres down there. You aren&rsquo;t doing enough to stop them. I think your military is scared. Our military isn&rsquo;t, so I just might send them down to take care of it.&rdquo;

The tone of the conversation also remains unknown, but the hint of US military&#39;s intervention might further sour relations between the two countries.

Mexico have however rejected the content of the conversation, again reiterating that the January 27 conversation between the two leaders were &quot;constructive&quot;.

Dol&iacute;a Est&eacute;vez, in his <a href="http://proyectopuente.com.mx/2017/02/01/necesitamos-a-mexico-dijo-trump-a-pena-nieto/">report</a>, suggested that Trump had suggested in a &quot;threatening note&quot; that if Mexico was unable to put down the drug cartels, he would be forced to send US troops to Mexico.

Relations between the two countries has deteriorated ever since Donald Trump took charge of White House.

Trump for long has promised to build a wall along the US-Mexico border and recently signed executive order to green-light its construction.

The decision has been met with severe criticism from Mexico, who has also rejected Trump&#39;s claim about it paying the cost of its construction.

Pe&ntilde;a Nieto had cancelled his meeting with Trump last week following the US president&#39;s willingness to build the 3,200-km border wall and for challenging him to cancel his trip to Washington.

The Donald Trump administration&nbsp;thought about levying a 20 per cent tax on goods imported from Mexico to finance the wall that will be built along the border, before backtracking on the idea saying it is one of the many ideas being mulled.

(WION)

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The US president reportedly told his Mexican counterpart on Jan 27 that he'll send troops to Mexico to tackle the drug cartels if they can't

United States President Donald Trump reportedly told his Mexican counterpart to tackle the "bad hombres" or they would have to intervene during a telephonic conversation last week. Although it remains unclear as to who he meant by "bad hombres", Mexican journalist Dolía Estévez said he was referring to the drug cartels operating in Mexico. The transcript, based on a leaked White House document, documents Trump telling Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto: "You have a bunch of bad hombres down there. You aren’t doing enough to stop them. I think your military is scared. Our military isn’t, so I just might send them down to take care of it.” The tone of the conversation also remains unknown, but the hint of US military's intervention might further sour relations between the two countries. Mexico have however rejected the content of the conversation, again reiterating that the January 27 conversation between the two leaders were "constructive". Dolía Estévez, in his report, suggested that Trump had suggested in a "threatening note" that if Mexico was unable to put down the drug cartels, he would be forced to send US troops to Mexico. Relations between the two countries has deteriorated ever since Donald Trump took charge of White House. Trump for long has promised to build a wall along the US-Mexico border and recently signed executive order to green-light its construction. The decision has been met with severe criticism from Mexico, who has also rejected Trump's claim about it paying the cost of its construction. Peña Nieto had cancelled his meeting with Trump last week following the US president's willingness to build the 3,200-km border wall and for challenging him to cancel his trip to Washington. The Donald Trump administration thought about levying a 20 per cent tax on goods imported from Mexico to finance the wall that will be built along the border, before backtracking on the idea saying it is one of the many ideas being mulled. (WION)

Tackle 'bad hombres' or we will: Trump tells Mexico

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