The remarks follow an international outcry over the separation of undocumented migrant children from their parents at the US border. An abrupt U-turn by US President Donald Trump on June 20 marked the end of the controversial policy, but the reunification of families will be easier said than done, and Washington’s continued hardline stance on undocumented migrants will have serious repercussions for Latin America.
More migrants may claim refugee status in an attempt to avoid criminal prosecutions.
US childcare and family services, overwhelmed by the surge in separations, will struggle to provide adequate care.
The increased difficulty of reaching the United States undetected will make people trafficking more lucrative.
Central American migrants deterred from heading to the United States will stay in Mexico, exacerbating social problems there.
