Why Trump tried to use the coronavirus crisis to ‘Mexicanize’ the U.S.-Canada border – The Conversation CA
For more than 150 years, the United States and Canada have shared what is commonly called the longest undefended border in the world. And yet in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, reports emerged that the United States was intending to place military troops near the border as part of Washingtons plan to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said such a move would be a mistake. After several days of confusion, Trudeau announced the U.S. had, at least temporarily, backed off on any plans to send troops in response to fears that infected people could illegally cross the border.
Whats behind this threat by the United States to militarize its northern border? For the answer, look to Americas southern border.
Leaked documents revealed that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) had requested the Department of Defense deploy more than 1,500 troops to both the southern and northern borders to support border enforcement during the coronavirus pandemic.
Specifically, CBP had requested 1,000 personnel on the northern border and 540 personnel on the southern border. The 540 personnel would be added to the 5,200 troops already present at the U.S.-Mexico border that followed President Donald Trumps declaration of a national emergency over undocumented immigration in early 2019.
The leaked memo referred to illegal entries having the potential to spread infectious disease. The memo did not clearly explain how these troops were going to be used only that they will not conduct civilian law enforcement activities. The conditions of the use of force were also unclear.
Read more: Keep on trucking: Trucks must keep moving across Canada-U.S. border amid coronavirus
Canada and the United States had already agreed to close their land border to non-essential travel as a way to stop the spread of COVID-19. That decision did not mean the border would be entirely closed the flow of goods by land was vital for both economies and would not be stopped. Cross-border commutes related to grocery shopping, studies and work were still allowed as well.
Canadas diplomatic response to the American attempt to militarize its northern border, generally polite but at times tense, is not surprising given the asymmetrical Canada-U.S. relationship.
In 1969, Canadian prime minister Pierre Trudeau famously said that living next to the United States was in some ways like sleeping with an elephant. No matter how friendly or temperate the beast, one is affected by every twitch and grunt.
Because of this structural asymmetry, Canada-U.S. relations dramatically changed after the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Despite Canadian efforts to meet U.S. security demands against terrorism, Paul Cellucci, the U.S. Ambassador to Canada, bluntly stated in 2003 that security trumps trade.
And yet both national economies are deeply interdependent. In the early 2000s, 87 per cent of Canadas trade went to the U.S. and about one-quarter of Americas trade came to Canada. In 2018, U.S. exports to Canada accounted for 18 per cent of its overall exports, totalling US$363.8 billion, while Canadas exports to the U.S. had a partner share of 75 per cent, totalling US$337 billion.
Several Canada-U.S. cross-border regions are integrated (infrastructures, economies, tourism, etc.), but U.S. prevalence of national security has dominated the border agenda since 2001.
The metaphor of the Mexicanization of the U.S.-Canada border was used to reflect the primacy of this security agenda on both Mexican and Canadian borders.
The traditional U.S. security focus on drug and illegal immigration on the southern border was renewed after 2001 but terrorism and weapons of mass destruction also became one of the key national security priorities, which also applied to the northern border.
In this new context, U.S. border workers contributed to make both borders more uniform: CBP officials who are trained and on duty on the Mexican border later move to the Canadian border. They bring with them the corporate culture of CBP from the southern border values, beliefs and behaviours tainted with U.S.-Mexico border challenges.
In parallel, a longstanding collaboration between CBP and the Canadian Border Service Agency (CBSA) exists. But it is essentially focused on U.S border monitoring and law enforcement, which is very similar to CBPs management of the southern border with (or without) Mexican authorities.
The Mexicanization of the northern border conveys the idea that the Canada-U.S. bilateral relationship is far from being unique or special. The U.S. increasingly sees Canada as just another border where national security threats emerge without distinction.
This imbalance between security and trade over the last two decades has contributed to numerous regional and local initiatives in order to demonstrate that security and trade imperatives can co-exist.
But the leaked CBP memo shows there is no longer a distinction between the southern and the northern borders. Both are seen as a threat to the safety and security of the United States.
It also shows the worlds longest undefended border is just a fig leaf an egalitarian symbol in order to hide the deep imbalance between the two countries.
See the rest here:
Why Trump tried to use the coronavirus crisis to 'Mexicanize' the U.S.-Canada border - The Conversation CA
- Republicans have made illegal immigration a top issue in NH sometimes with misinformation New Hampshire Bulletin - New Hampshire Bulletin - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- S.B. 4: This Texas immigration law is worse than you think. - Slate - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Texas has spent $11 billion on border security. Is it working? - The Texas Tribune - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- White House weighs immigration relief for spouses of US citizens - AOL - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Long-Term Illegal Aliens Claim They are Being Discriminated Against and Demand Work Authorizations Too | FAIRUS ... - Federation for American... - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- White House weighs immigration relief for spouses of US citizens - SRN News - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Gov. Kevin Stitt hasn't committed to signing new illegal immigration bill - KOCO Oklahoma City - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Proposed $45 million cut to Denver's budget to pay for illegal immigration crisis advances - The Denver Gazette - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Border bill would keep invasion going - The Highland County Press - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Oklahoma House passes immigration bill amid bitter divide - KOCO Oklahoma City - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Brandon Johnson is willing to bankrupt Chicago for illegal immigrants - Washington Examiner - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Civic groups call on govt. to end crackdown on illegal immigration - The Korea Herald - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Concerns rise over increase in illegal border crossings in Northern New York - WPTZ - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- San Diego County is Sending Illegal Immigrants to You California Globe - California Globe - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Swing State Dem Wanted Illegal Immigrants To Receive Taxpayer-Funded COVID Relief - Washington Free Beacon - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- 'France would do well to see foreign students as agents of influence rather than potential illegal immigrants' - Le Monde - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- On Tax Day, Special Interest Groups are Pushing Congress to Expand Tax Breaks that Benefit Illegal Aliens | FAIRUS.org - Federation for American... - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Operation Lone Star Arrests Violent Criminals, Human Smugglers - Office of the Texas Governor - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Utah immigrant advocates blast anti-illegal immigration talk as 'fear mongering,' 'dehumanizing' - KSL.com - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Pete Ricketts: The Biden Admin is Facilitating Illegal Immigration - Scottsbluff Star Herald - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Homeland Security Investigations - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Newsroom - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- GOP Gov. Primary Heats up as Ayotte, Morse Throw Down on Illegal Immigration - NH Journal - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- TN Governor Lee signs bill targeting illegal immigration - SuperTalk 92.9 - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Trump, Johnson want to halt noncitizen voting. It's already illegal - NPR - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Reynolds signs illegal immigration bill - The Iowa Torch - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Illegal immigration ticks down at the border - Washington Times - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Inside Mexico's new efforts to curb illegal immigration - The Times of Northwest Indiana - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Q&A The Inflation Impact of Illegal Immigration - 1290 WJNO - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Migrants were not secretly flown to Florida with taxpayer money - AOL - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- OKLAHOMA VOICE: McCall unveils details of his Oklahoma illegal immigration bill - Muskogee Daily Phoenix - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Paris Moves Migrants Out Ahead of Olympics | FAIRUS.org - Federation for American Immigration Reform - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Biden Claims the Mantle of Cesar Chavez, While Ignoring the Labor Leader's Opposition to Illegal Immigration - The New York Sun - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Trumps Misleading Chart on Illegal Immigration - FactCheck.org - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- Rep. Bruck: Whitmer admin's dangerous policy offers housing subsidies to illegal immigrants - Michigan House Republicans - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- Biden's Miscalculations When He Opened the Border to Unchecked Illegal Immigration - The New York Sun - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- Weaponized immigration wrecking sovereign America - The Highland County Press - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- 'Animals': Trump ups rhetoric on illegal immigration - Yahoo! Voices - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- Illegal Immigration, Legal Pot Top Of Mind For Hoosiers - WISH TV Indianapolis, IN - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- Judge rules DHS must deliver better treatment to illegal immigrants awaiting arrest - Washington Times - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- Crisis in California: Migrants overwhelming state with 'no end in sight,' local officials warn - Fox News - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- Why is Sam Bankman-Fried treated more leniently than someone facing illegal immigration charges? - The Hill - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- Trump in Michigan: What data says about illegal immigration, crime and economy - Bridge Michigan - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Texas, Biden admin square off in circuit court over blocked anti-illegal immigration law - Fox News - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Migrants face rioting charges after El Paso border charge - The Texas Tribune - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Contradicting Trump, Ruby Garcia's Sister Says He Never Contacted Family - The New York Times - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Colorado's tipping point on illegal immigration | Denver Gazette - coloradopolitics.com - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Biden Policies Sending More Flights of Illegal Immigrants to Florida Than Any Other State - Florida Daily - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Trump calls migrants 'animals,' intensifying focus on illegal immigration - The Union Leader - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Texas immigration law could allow arrest and deportation of illegal migrants; Biden fuming - The Hill - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Election 2024 Your View by Ryan Mackenzie: My experience in Harrisburg will help me address illegal immigration ... - The Morning Call - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Democrats have shifted stance on illegal immigration: Byron York - Washington Examiner - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Texas Surges Soldiers, Resources To Boost Border Security In El Paso - Office of the Texas Governor - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- More Americans say they are worried about illegal immigration, terrorism in 2024: Survey - The Hill - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- 200,000 Deportation Cases Thrown Out as Mayorkas' DHS Fails to File Paperwork | FAIRUS.org - Federation for American Immigration Reform - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Biden Created the Border Crisis. Now, Texas Is Stepping Up to Defend Our Sovereignty. - The Mountain Press - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Another red state moves a step closer to enacting Texas-style anti-illegal immigration bill - Fox News - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Gretchen Whitmer Lashes Out At Trump Following His Michigan Visit Focused On Illegal Immigration - The Daily Wire - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- White House Report Card: Biden sets fundraising, illegal immigration records - Washington Examiner - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Payback: 90% of illegal immigrants in secret program flown to Florida and Texas - Washington Examiner - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- How a Georgia nursing student's killing reached Biden's State of the Union - NPR - March 13th, 2024 [March 13th, 2024]
- Heads Up: Your Tax Dollars Are Being Used To Fly in Biden's Illegal Immigrants - The New York Sun - March 13th, 2024 [March 13th, 2024]
- Chinese migration to US is nothing new but the reasons for recent surge at Southern border are - The Conversation - March 13th, 2024 [March 13th, 2024]
- U.S. House approves immigration bill linked to murder of Georgia college student Louisiana Illuminator - Louisana Illuminator - March 13th, 2024 [March 13th, 2024]
- High Speed Chases: How Illegal Alien Bailouts Threaten American Communities | FAIRUS.org - Federation for American Immigration Reform - March 13th, 2024 [March 13th, 2024]
- One of America's Best Places to Live Considering Handouts for Illegals, Despite Resident Opposition | FAIRUS.org - Federation for American Immigration... - March 13th, 2024 [March 13th, 2024]
- Sen. Johnson Joins Letter to DHS Secretary Mayorkas Requesting Information on Illegal Immigrant Charged with ... - Senator Ron Johnson - March 13th, 2024 [March 13th, 2024]
- Immigrants without legal status get public health insurance in more states : Shots - Health News - NPR - December 31st, 2023 [December 31st, 2023]
- Unintended results of state's 'Anti-Illegal Immigration legislation' - Tallahassee Democrat - December 31st, 2023 [December 31st, 2023]
- U.S. Department of Justice says it'll sue if Texas enforces new law punishing illegal border crossing - The Texas Tribune - December 31st, 2023 [December 31st, 2023]
- Operation Lone Star Bolsters Historic Border Security Mission In 2023 - Office of the Texas Governor - December 31st, 2023 [December 31st, 2023]
- Illegal immigration in Europe is driving a massive political shift: Ami Horowitz - Fox News - December 31st, 2023 [December 31st, 2023]
- Department of Justice Demands Abbott Stop Enforcement of Law Criminalizing Illegal Immigration - The Texan - December 31st, 2023 [December 31st, 2023]
- Race-Baiting Dems Smeared Me as an Heartless Bigot for Demanding Secure Borders. 3 Years Later, the Left Has ... - Heritage.org - December 31st, 2023 [December 31st, 2023]
- Immigration and National Security- Dr. Mackubin Owens - GoLocalProv - December 31st, 2023 [December 31st, 2023]
- The massive burden of Bidens undocumented immigrants - The Hill - December 2nd, 2023 [December 2nd, 2023]
- Texas is on the verge of making illegal border crossings a state crime. Here's what you need to know. - The Texas Tribune - December 2nd, 2023 [December 2nd, 2023]
- Hong Kong, mainland Chinese authorities team-up for crackdown on illegal immigration - South China Morning Post - December 2nd, 2023 [December 2nd, 2023]
- Operation Lone Star Stops Drug Smuggling Across Biden's Open Border - Office of the Texas Governor - December 2nd, 2023 [December 2nd, 2023]
- In October 2023, the Foreign-Born Share Was the Highest in History - Immigration Blog - December 2nd, 2023 [December 2nd, 2023]
- Poland extend border controls with Slovakia to stem illegal migration - Reuters - December 2nd, 2023 [December 2nd, 2023]