Mexican President Vows To Protect Immigrants Within The U.S. As Trump Signs Executive Order Against Illegal Immigration


Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto has denounced U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order to build a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico. Speaking on Wednesday as a part of a nationally televised address, President Pena Nieto said that he “regrets and rejects the decision of the U.S. to build the wall,” the Chicago Tribune reports.

[Image by David McNew/Getty Images]

President Donald Trump has moved forward with most of his campaign promises in the very first week after taking office. On Wednesday, just 5 days after his inauguration, Trump aggressively moved forward with one of the highlights of his campaigns, the strict immigration policy, signing the executive order to jump-start the construction of the border “wall” with Mexico that he had promised to build throughout his campaign. Trump also signed an order to cut federal grants for immigrant-protecting “sanctuary cities.” Trump is also expected to sign the order barring the entry of Syrian refugees to the United States by the end of Thursday. Speaking during a visit to the Department of Homeland Security, Trump justified his policy against Mexico with the following remarks.

“The secretary of homeland security, working with myself and my staff, will begin immediate construction of a border wall so badly needed. You folks know how badly needed it is as a help.”

“A nation without borders is not a nation. Beginning today the United States of America gets back control of its borders. I just signed two executive orders that will save thousands of lives, millions of jobs and billions and billions of dollars.”

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto held the televised address less than an hour following Trump’s decision, vowing to protect all Mexican immigrants living in the U.S. while declaring once again that Mexico would not be paying for the wall.

“Where there is a Mexican migrant at risk that requires our support, your country should be there.”

“Our communities are not alone. The Mexican Government will provide them with the legal advice, which guarantees the protection they require.”

“The 50 Mexican consulates in the United States will become authentic advocates for the rights of migrants.”

Following President Trump’s decision to move forward with the Wall on Wednesday, Mexican President Pena Nieto announced that he would be canceling his visit to Washington scheduled for next week. President Pena Nieto was set to meet with President Donald Trump, but following Trump’s signing of the executive orders and following his comments that Mexico would be forced to pay for it, the Mexican President decided to forfeit the trip.

President Pena Nieto’s tweet translates to, “This morning we informed the White House that I will not attend the scheduled work meeting for next Tuesday with @POTUS.”

President Donald Trump took office last week. [Image by Pool/Getty Images]

Trump had promised the border wall on the very first day of his campaign in June 2015. He had on numerous occasions used the words “criminals” and “rapists” to describe illegal Mexican immigrants. Most of his rallies would hear the crowds chant “Build that wall! Build that wall!” Following the signing of the executive order on Wednesday, President Trump spoke of the Mexican gangs and drug cartels terrorizing the US-Mexico border.

“The day is over when they can stay in our country and wreak havoc. We are going to get them out and get them out fast.”

President Trump ended the fiery speech with a bit of a positive note.

“I will be, I promise you, a president for everyone. We will bridge our divisions, heal our wounds and unify our country, and if we do that, if we work together, then there is nothing we cannot achieve as Americans. The future is limitless.”

[Featured Image by Sandy Huffaker/Stringer]

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