Following the re-election of President Donald Trump, the U.S. government has come under fire for further fortifying the border wall with Mexico. In the border region near Ciudad Juárez, Texas, razor wire has been added to the top of the existing wall, and the wall itself has been painted a dark black. This measure is intended to increase the surface temperature of the wall, making it more difficult and dangerous to climb. Additionally, a double wall has been constructed and military armored vehicles have been deployed in the Jeronimo-Santa Teresa area of New Mexico.

These border fortification measures have been accelerated under the directive of U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. In response, humanitarian activists and religious organizations in Mexico are strongly protesting. A Catholic parish priest in Ciudad Juárez criticized the actions, stating, "This is an extremely cruel measure. The church cannot condone any method that harms human dignity and life." He emphasized that similar physical barriers have failed to stop immigration in the past, arguing that they cannot break the human will.

Juan Piero Garcia, a pastor at the "Good Samaritan" shelter, which helps immigrants in the border region, also expressed concern. He said, "These measures do not stop immigration; they only force immigrants to take more dangerous routes," warning that children and women, in particular, could be injured by the razor wire and heated wall. Pastor Piero noted that the number of immigrants staying at the shelter has recently dropped sharply due to the U.S. government's strict immigration policies. "Immigrants are now receiving the message that the U.S. does not welcome them and that they will face severe consequences if they cross the border," he said.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration announced that it has apprehended more than 300,000 undocumented immigrants in the first six months of its second term. This is interpreted as a strong commitment to fulfilling its campaign promise of mass deportations. With the authority of the Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) significantly expanded, tensions in the border region have reached their peak. Despite criticism that these policies could lead to a humanitarian crisis, the Trump administration appears committed to continuing its hard-line approach focused on curbing illegal immigration.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]