Over the next five years, the Mexican government plans to spend $30 billion on Central American development. Their goal is simple: to keep illegal aliens from heading north towards the United States border, USA Today reported.
According to Mexican Foreign Ministry Marcelo Ebrard, Mexico "will change its migration policies to respond to the needs required in the south of our country and Central America," although it's unclear exactly how those funds will be spent.
"We’re going to guarantee that the rights of migrants in our territory are respected," Newly-elected Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrado told reporters on Dec. 5. "About how to resolve the problem, we’re putting together a proposal to invest in productive projects and job creation. And, not only that, in work visas as well for Mexican and for the United States."
The decision comes after multiple migrant caravans filled with illegal aliens made their way across Central America, through Mexico and to the United States-Mexico border. Those on the caravan hoped to file for asylum but quickly found out they would have to wait months to have their case heard. Now, they're sitting in Mexico, waiting.
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The decision will be a test of President Donald Trump's relationship with López Obrado. Trump had threatened to cut off foreign aid to Mexico if they didn't stop the caravan from traveling through their country to the United States' southern border.
To make matters even more interesting, López Obrado campaigned on the idea that he would not allow Trump to push Mexico into foreign policy decisions their country did not agree with.
He said Mexico "will not do the dirty work of any foreign government," clearly referencing Trump's threat.
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