On May 30, 2019, President Trump announced via tweet that beginning June 10, the US government will impose new tariffs on Mexico to reduce illegal immigration from Central America:
“Starting on June 10, 2019, the United States will impose a 5 percent Tariff on all goods imported from Mexico. If the illegal migration crisis is alleviated through effective actions taken by Mexico, to be determined in our sole discretion and judgment, the Tariffs will be removed. If the crisis persists, however, the Tariffs will be raised to 10 percent on July 1, 2019.”
In addition, Trump added that unless the Mexican government can “dramatically reduce or eliminate” the flow of Central American migrants, CNN reports that tariffs will:
Tariffs are paid by the importer, not by the exporting country. As a result, If these tariffs go into effect all companies importing from Mexico will be paying these tariffs and will have to decide if they should pass them on to American consumers.
Chicago immigration lawyer Mario Godoy says Trump is using the threat of tariffs to turn the average American against immigration:
“Mexico is the United State’s largest trading partner. Once Americans realize that they – and not Mexico – will be paying these tariffs in the form of higher costs for food and products, they’re going to be angry. Instead of working to fix the asylum laws this administration is working to make it harder for immigration judges to process asylum claims. It will be everyday Americans that pay the price of Trump’s strategy on immigration.”
Mexico’s deputy foreign minister for North America, Jesus Seade, said that it would be “disastrous” if Trump imposed the new tariffs.
The immigration attorneys at Godoy Law Office in Chicago offer assistance in family-based immigration matters to a range of people, including spouses, same-sex couples, fiancés, parents and children. We can also advise immigrants looking to secure status as permanent residents through the process of applying for a green card or citizenship. If you need help with an immigration issue, please contact our office at 855-554-6369.
