President Trump to order the U.S. Military to the Mexican border

Nations have a right to secure their borders, and President Trump is about to exercise that right. In a surprising announcement on Tuesday, the president announced he was planning to use the military to secure the border with Mexico. The announcement comes as a caravan of about 1,200 people approaches the U.S. from Honduras with the intention of seeking asylum. 

The military has previously been used on the border as part of the War on Drugs. Now, their mission may expand to include securing the border against illegal immigration.

Highlights

By Marshall Connolly (Catholic Online)
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
4/3/2018 (7 years ago)

Published in U.S.

Keywords: President Trump, Mexico, border

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) - Amid talk of a border wall and illegal immigration, a caravan of 1,200 people is approaching the United States from Honduras. The caravan is walking through Mexico on a mission to reach the U.S. border and apply for asylum. Most of the people in the caravan say they are refugees seeking escape from violence and persecution in Honduras. 

President Trump has made clear the caravan isn't welcome in the United States. He has asked the Mexican government to stop the caravan which has attracted intense media attention. 

The caravan has been politicized. Most of its members do not qualify for asylum in the United States, and ultimately the USA has the right to decide who is allowed into the country and under what circumstances. While asylum seekers are generally welcome, only a fraction of the caravan qualifies as such. Instead, many of the people in the caravan are making the march to make a political statement. 

To many Americans, that statement seems to be that they have the right to enter the country if they want. Regardless if that is the attitude of the people entering the country, that is the perception. 

Mexico has provided humanitarian assistance to the caravan and is offering asylum to those seeking it, making it unnecessary for the people to enter the USA. Still, the caravan remains on the move. If it is not halted, the caravan will reach the border within a month. 

Organizers admit the caravan will be smaller since most members know they will not be allowed into the USA. There are also children and elderly along, and they cannot all complete the journey. 

A caravan of 1,200 people is attempting to reach the U.S. border, but Mexico has pledged to stop it.

The coverage of the caravan has galvanized opposition to illegal immigration. Critics point out that illegal immigration in most of the world is punishable by imprisonment, hard labor, or even death. 

While the United States has a history of being friendly to immigrants, that policy has been politicized throughout history. It is a divisive issue. 

President Trump continues to seek funding to build a border wall with Mexico. His latest proposal has been to use military funds for the project, but it is unclear if this is practical. 

In the meantime, he has announced he will send the military to the border to secure it. No details have been announced. The President says he has discussed the proposal with Secretary of Defense James Mattis. 

The President also called on Mexico to stop the caravan, threatening to take action on NAFTA should the nation refuse to cooperate. NAFTA, the president said, "is in play," referring to the agreements as a "cash cow" for Mexico. 

Most Americans understand how important it is to welcome asylum seekers into the country. They also understand that immigration can strengthen the country by attracting some of the world's best talent and hardest workers with freedom and opportunity. However, nobody has the unqualified right to simply enter the country without permission. And in the age of terrorism, this is a national security issue. 

The President has also asked Congress to take action on the matter.