mexico-and-us-begin-formal-talks-on-immigration-issues

Mexico and the United States have officially initiated talks on various bilateral issues, such as immigration and security, as confirmed by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.

 

These discussions began on Tuesday, following a phone call made by the newly appointed US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, to his Mexican counterpart, Juan Ramon de la Fuente. President Sheinbaum highlighted that the conversation between the two leaders was "very good" and "cordial."

 

The president addressed the ongoing speculation about a lack of communication between the two nations, stating that the formal talks were established on that day.

 

She emphasised that Rubio’s first call as Secretary of State was to Mexico, underscoring the importance of the bilateral relationship. Sheinbaum further noted that the conversation primarily focused on critical issues such as immigration and security.

 

In a statement released on Wednesday, Rubio outlined his department's priorities, with immigration being at the forefront. The United States has long been concerned with managing the flow of undocumented migrants, as well as combating drug trafficking.

 

During his tenure, former President Donald Trump had consistently threatened a stricter stance on these issues. His administration introduced several measures that had significant impacts on the relationship between the US and Mexico.

 

One of the first actions taken by Trump when he assumed office was to issue executive orders directly affecting Mexico. This included ending the CBP One™ Mobile Application programme, which had provided migrants with the opportunity to schedule asylum hearings with US immigration authorities without having to physically travel to the US-Mexico border.

 

Additionally, Trump reinstated a controversial policy known as “Remain in Mexico,” which required asylum seekers to remain in Mexico while their cases were processed in US immigration courts.

 

These policies sparked heated debates, both in the US and Mexico, and their implications are still being discussed in the current rounds of talks between the two nations.