Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina had a stern warning Monday night for Mexico: help stop the migrant caravan or risk your participation in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA).
Appearing on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle, Graham said the U.S. needs Mexican cooperation to halt the illegals heading towards the shared border.
“To our friends in Mexico, if you don’t help Trump stop this caravan, you’re going to pay a price in Congress when it comes to this trade deal,” Graham told Laura Ingraham.
Although all three trading partners worked out a comprehensive free trade arrangement that replaces North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the treaty has yet to be approved by Congress.
Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer take part in a joint news conference on the closing of the seventh round of NAFTA talks in Mexico City, Mexico March 5, 2018. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido
When questioned about President Donald Trump’s decision to move 5,200 troops to the Mexican border and place razor wire in the path of migrants, Graham said, “President Trump is doing the right thing.” (RELATED: Homeland Security Secretary Nielsen Promises Migrant Caravan Won’t Cross US Border : They’re ‘Not Getting In’)
“I’m offended this caravan is trying to overrun our country. We’re a hospitable nation but they’re taking advantage of our generosity. We need to send a clear signal to this caravan and every other caravan that America is not going to tolerate this.” (RELATED: Migrant Killed As Second Caravan Clashes With Mexican Border Police)
A man part of a caravan of thousands of migrants from Central America en route to the U.S, throws a stone to the Mexican Police as they try to pull down the border gate with the intention to carry on their journey, in Tecun Uman, Guatemala, Oct. 28, 2018. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
Mexico has attempted to entice some illegals to not proceed to the U.S. by offering everything from health care to employment. But most of the migrants declined and vowed to continue on to the closest U.S. border crossing.