Donald Trump’s second administration has made a number of significant changes to U.S. domestic and foreign policy. Reactions have been mixed among the international community. Mexican Christians, are supportive of his conservative values but also they express concerns about mass deportations. Trump has made major changes to trade policy.
He announced 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada. The president says these countries have failed to take effective action against migration and fentanyl trafficking. Trump has blamed the drug for killing thousands of Americans each year. Fentanyl primarily enters the country across the Mexican border. Trump has dramatically shaken up American immigration policy.
He suspended the CBP One app, which acted as an on-demand service to set appointments for entry into the country. The president linked illegal migration to rising crime rates and accused countries like Venezuela of sending criminals to the U.S.: ‘These measures are about protecting Americans and ensuring national security.” He also canceled flights to Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
President Trump issued new executive orders restricting diversity and inclusion. He decided that the government would recognize only two genders based on “immutable biological reality” and eliminated programs promoting “gender ideology.” He said, “The government will only recognize two genders, male and female.” He called diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs “unnecessary and costly.”
Claudia Sheinbaum, the Jewish President of Mexico, responded to Trump’s tariffs. She emphasized her country’s sovereignty and warned of potential retaliatory measures: “We coordinate, we collaborate, but we never subordinate.” Christian Daily International’s Spanish Edition, Diario Cristiano, interviewed several Mexican evangelical leaders to get their perspective on Trump.
Leader of Iniciativa Ciudadana and the Ibero-American Congress for Life and Family, Aarón Lara, slammed the left-wing president of Mexico. He said, “Although the discourse is nationalist and promotes the State as the guiding axis of the economy, it also expands private and foreign investment, particularly U.S.” He also warned that court ties with drug cartels could lead to stronger U.S. interventions.
He drew attention to the issue of remittances, or money sent back to Mexico from the US. These payments have reached historic levels and serve as a vital source of income for thousands of Mexican families. The pastor thinks that mass deportations could dramatically reduce this economic flow. He argues that this would exacerbate challenges for many communities. This concern has led Mexico to address Trump’s plans while trying to minimize the potential impacts.
Ommar Ayala, a journalist and director of the Alliance of Christian Communicators of Mexico, said Trump’s immigration policy would create a social impact: “The evangelical church in Mexico will face massive deportations and a long process of adaptation.” However, he and other evangelicals in Mexico view the president positively. He said, “For the vision of evangelicals, Trump’s inauguration reflects a conservative outlook that aligns with biblical values, support for Israel, and opposition to progressive agendas.” He concluded It will be a titanic challenge that can only be overcome with God’s help and mutual support.”