The surge of migrants crossing into the US has prompted the Biden administration to seek assistance from Mexico. However, Mexico has its own set of demands in return for their cooperation with the US. Here’s what you need to know.
Mexico’s Ambitious Asks
Officials from both the US and Mexican governments, familiar with the discussions, have revealed that Mexico has put forward an ambitious set of demands. The Biden administration’s previous efforts to tackle the migrant surge have only provided temporary relief. In December, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Mexico to meet with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador seeking greater assistance. However, these initial conversations did not result in concrete commitments from either side.
During a recent press conference, President López Obrador called on the US to approve a plan that includes deploying $20 billion to Latin American and Caribbean countries, lifting the US blockade of Cuba, removing all sanctions against Venezuela, and granting legal rights for at least 10 million Hispanics living in the US.
Challenges for the Biden Administration
These demands present significant challenges for the Biden administration, especially as they seek to gain control of the US-Mexico border. The border saw a record-breaking 300,000 migrants processed by Customs and Border Protection in December. Responding to Mexico’s requests, a senior Biden administration official acknowledged López Obrador’s ambitious agenda, but noted that some of these demands would require congressional action. The official emphasized that there is a shared vision to uplift the region.
Importance of Negotiations with Mexico
Negotiations between the US and Mexico are expected to continue in Washington later this month. Mexico holds significant leverage in these discussions. López Obrador’s administration would prefer Biden to be re-elected in November, given the negative rhetoric and actions towards Mexico during Donald Trump’s time in office. However, the Biden administration is running out of options to address the border issue without increased support from Mexico, according to three US officials.
Key Issues and Solutions
As negotiations continue, the Biden administration needs Mexico’s assistance in pushing non-Mexican immigrants back across the US southern border. To achieve this, Mexico must increase enforcement on its southern border with Guatemala and deport more migrants apprehended within its own country. Mexico has expressed its willingness to increase enforcement, though specific numbers have yet to be discussed. Additionally, Mexico has recently resumed deportation flights to Venezuela, one of the top nationalities attempting to cross into the US.
In exchange for their cooperation, Mexico is seeking more financial aid to support border policing efforts. However, they also want the US to demonstrate a genuine commitment to addressing the root causes of migration by investing in programs that help Central and South American countries escape poverty. Mexico sees itself caught in the middle of a US problem, as most migrants passing through Mexico are bound for the US.
Conclusion
The issue of immigration has become a major concern for both the US and Mexico. Talks about fentanyl smuggling, which had been a priority, have been overshadowed by the pressing issue of immigration. The US-Mexico negotiations are crucial to finding lasting solutions and gaining control over the migrant surge.
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