Donald Trump On Immigration Troubles: Fine Mexico $100K For Every Illegal U.S. Border Crossing

Republican presidential candidate and savvy businessman Donald Trump has turned heads with his strict stance on illegal immigration. The presidential candidate claims that leaders in Mexico are smart and know exactly what they are doing when they “send” people over to the United States illegally. Trump says he has the answer to ending the wave of illegal immigrants from Mexico into the United States, and it involves a simple fine. Donald Trump suggested that we charge Mexico $100,000 for every illegal immigrant who crosses the border into the United States, noting that the money would be “peanuts” to the struggling country.

The Daily Mail reports that in an address to supporters in Phoenix, Arizona, he outlined his plan to end illegal immigration and move the financial burden of illegal immigration from the U.S. to Mexico. Phoenix is the ideal location for this type of rhetoric, as the city has taken a large hit from illegal immigrants who have been dropped in the area by the federal government. In fact, as the Inquisitr previously reported, Phoenix has long been a “dropping point” for illegal immigrants seized at the border. Illegal immigrants attempting to cross the border in Texas at the Rio Grande Valley were moved by the bus load last year into Phoenix to wait for their court date.

“Many of these immigrants come with minimal belongings and very little food. To be released from ICE officials, the immigrant must only sign a paper stating that they will appear in court within 15 to 30 days. After that, they are released to their own devices.”

This means that the city of Phoenix is left to care for these individuals until they appear for their court processing, which takes about a month and is done on the “honor system.” Therefore, local charity organizations and homeless shelters are hit hard in the area. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump would make such bold statements in a city hit hard by illegal immigration.

Trump notes that he is not against immigration. In fact, he is very much for individuals coming to the United States legally. He points out that he is married to a Slovenian who came to this country legally. He also notes the thousands of legal Mexican immigrants he hires to work within his many businesses. However, he says that “smart” Mexico has pushed illegal immigrants into the U.S. to avoid dealing with them.

“Every time Mexico – really intelligently – sends people over we charge Mexico $100,000 for every person they send over. Now they make so much money that that’s peanuts. I could’ve made it much higher – but I’m nice. I’m in a good mood today.”

He says it is time to “take back our country” by ending our lax illegal immigration stance. Trump goes so far as to call the Obama administration “stupid” and says that the $100,000 fine per illegal border crossing would send a strong message. Trump isn’t only concerned about the financial burden on the country, he also notes “infectious disease” and illicit drug smuggling as problems brought into the U.S. by illegal immigrants.

What do you think about Donald Trump’s suggestion to fine Mexico $100,000 per illegal immigrant that crosses into the United States? Would a policy like this even be enforceable? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

[Image Credit: Getty Images/ Charlie Leight]