VICTOR LACOMBE
SÃO PAULO, SP (FOLHAPRESS) – The President of the United States, Donald Trump, signed this Wednesday (22) a decree that suspends the entry of migrants through the country’s southern border. This is the most drastic measure against immigration taken by the Republican in his first days back in office.
The text of the decree was not released, but the White House said in a statement that the executive order “suspends the entry of migrants participating in an invasion of the United States through the southern border” and orders federal government agencies to take all necessary measures to “immediately repel, repatriate and remove illegal immigrants.”
According to the government, the measure also applies to those trying to enter the country asking for asylum, which is contrary to American legislation. Therefore, it is almost certain that the decree will be challenged in court, as is already the case with the order announced on Tuesday (21) that suspended the automatic granting of citizenship to children of immigrants in an irregular or temporary situation born in the USA.
This Wednesday’s White House note says that the American Constitution authorizes the federal government to supplant the authority of the states when an invasion is underway – throughout the election campaign, Trump frequently described the increase in the entry of migrants in these terms. This way, the president would be authorized to intervene directly in states that border Mexico, such as California and Texas.
The Trump administration still blames the current crisis on former President Joe Biden, saying his predecessor “was unable to protect Americans from millions of illegal immigrants entering the U.S., invading their communities, and costing local governments billions of dollars.” ”.
Experts frequently point out that immigration, although it requires emergency resources, ends up strengthening a country’s economy in the long term, and that in the US migrant workers are essential in sectors such as agriculture, construction and health services.
This Wednesday, the American press also reported that the Trump administration is preparing to send 1,500 active-duty Armed Forces soldiers to the border with Mexico. Citing authorities interviewed on condition of anonymity, outlets such as The New York Times state that the measure should be announced in the coming days.
If mobilized soldiers act directly to find and arrest irregular migrants, as advocated by Trump, it will be the first time in decades that the American Armed Forces will be used to fulfill a police role.
Active-duty soldiers have already been sent to the southern border by Trump in his first term and by the Biden administration. However, they only acted as logistical support for the security agents working there – among them, 2,500 members of the National Guard reserve, as well as agents from the Department of Homeland Security and police officers.
American law prohibits active members of the Armed Forces from acting with police powers within the United States. However, Trump administration officials raise the possibility of invoking a law from 1807 that allows this action in the event of an “internal insurrection”.
Also on Wednesday, Trump ordered the Department of Justice to open investigations against state and local government officials who resist or obstruct attempts by federal agents to deport undocumented migrants.
On Tuesday, the White House authorized the arrest of irregular migrants in places considered sensitive, such as schools, hospitals and churches.
On the other side of the border, the Mexican government, led by President Claudia Sheinbaum, said it will not receive deported people who do not have Mexican citizenship into national territory.
At the same time, the country’s authorities began erecting temporary shelters near the border in preparation for a heavy influx of Mexicans deported from the US.
