Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has forecasted a significant decrease in illegal immigration once President-elect Donald Trump is sworn into office early next year. Cruz made his prediction during an interview on CBS’ Face the Nation on Sunday, highlighting Trump’s plans to reinstate the “remain in Mexico” policy as a pivotal factor.
“I expect we will once again implement the ‘remain in Mexico’ policy, and I’ll make a prediction: We will see illegal immigration numbers plummet,” Cruz stated. “Not in a year or six months, but in January and February, because we will have a president who will vigorously enforce the law.”
The “remain in Mexico” policy, formally known as the Migrant Protection Protocols, requires asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while their cases are processed in the United States. Cruz believes its reinstatement will immediately curb illegal crossings.
Tariffs as a Leverage Tool
Cruz also commended Trump’s approach to using tariffs as leverage to pressure Mexico into cooperating on border security. He referred to Trump’s recent discussions with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who pledged to work closely with the U.S. administration to address border concerns.
“The threat of tariffs has already yielded results,” Cruz said. “President Sheinbaum has committed to collaborating with President Trump to secure the border, demonstrating the power of leveraging economic tools for diplomatic progress.”
Trump’s engagement with Canada has also come under the spotlight. On Friday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, days after Trump threatened to impose 25% tariffs on Canadian goods. The tariffs aim to push Canada and Mexico to take stronger measures against illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
Tackling the Drug Crisis
Following the meeting, Trump highlighted the urgency of addressing the U.S. drug crisis, particularly the influx of fentanyl. Writing on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump emphasized the need for collective action against drug cartels and the devastating effects of fentanyl, which is often smuggled into the U.S. from China.
“I made it clear that the U.S. will no longer stand by as our citizens fall victim to this drug epidemic,” Trump wrote. “Prime Minister Trudeau has pledged to work with us to combat the flow of drugs and end the devastation to American families.”
Trump also described his discussions with Trudeau as “productive,” covering issues such as fair trade and the significant trade deficit between the two countries.
As the January inauguration approaches, Cruz and Trump appear confident in their strategies to address illegal immigration and related crises, signaling a sharp policy shift under the incoming administration.