Guacamole lovers might be among the first to feel the effects of a closure of the southern border. The head of Mission Produce says the United States could run out of avocados in about three weeks if President Trump shuts down the border with Mexico.
Steve Barnard notes that our neighbor to the south supplies nearly 100 percent of the avocados in the U.S. right now. The USDA reports that nearly half of all imported U.S. vegetables and 40 percent of imported fruit are grown in Mexico.
President Trump has pledged to shut down all or large parts of the border if Mexico does not to take stronger action to stop migrants headed to the U.S. border with that country. He also warned Mexico to halt migrant caravans from Central America.
The Trump administration is considering the removal of as many as 2,000 inspectors from border crossings to handle a surge of families arriving at the U.S.- Mexico border. Many of those migrants are reportedly coming from Central American countries and seeking asylum in the U.S.
Reportedly the reassignment of the inspectors could restrict the flow of trucks bringing goods for Amiercan retailers to the U.S. It also could create delays for cross-border commuters who come for work and school.
Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said Monday the reassignments are necessary to help manage a massive influx of migrants straining the system and overflowing border facilities.
The administration is also ramping up its efforts to return asylum seekers to Mexico.
All of this comes at the same time that California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced plans to travel to Central America in an effort to learn more about why people are migrating to the U.S. Newsom will fly to El Salvador in his first international trip as governor. Violent gangs, crime and poverty are believed to be among the main reasons why people flee in search of better opportunities.