Trump, Pena Nieto meeting surprises many

UTSA political expert: Visit 'won't help Latino voter outreach'

SAN ANTONIO – UPDATE: Donald Trump spoke in Arizona and wasted no time debunking the idea that he was taking a softer stance on immigration. He rallied his supporters with promises of a safe and secure border. 

The candidate talked about ending the catch-and-release police, having zero tolerance for criminal aliens, blocking funding for sanctuary cities and adding more federal agents along the border. He also talked about suspending visas for refugees from Syria and Libya.

Video: Trump speaks in Arizona after visiting Mexico

ORIGINAL STORY: After Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto invited the Democratic and Republican U.S. presidential nominees to his country, Donald Trump, the GOP candidate, flew to Mexico City Wednesday for a private meeting with him.

“This may have been a surprise to him, and it certainly was to many of us in the U.S.,” said Dr. Walter Wilson, associate professor of American politics at the University of Texas at San Antonio campus downtown.

Early into Trump’s campaign, after he called illegal immigrants “rapists and criminals,” Pena Nieto compared Trump to Adolf Hitler. Trump also demanded Mexico pay for completing a border wall.

Hard feelings weren’t apparent as Pena Nieto and Trump walked into Los Pinos, the official presidential residence, side by side.

“If you hold grudges over these things, it will prevent you being able to do your job as a policymaker,” Wilson said.

Trump said they discussed his call for a border wall, but he didn’t insist Mexico pay for it. However, Pena Nieto later tweeted that Mexico wouldn't pay for a wall.

“That’ll be a later date,” Trump said.

Wilson said both men had something to prove with a face-to-face meeting.

“This may give the Mexican president an opportunity to say he stood up to Mr. Trump on behalf of Mexicans,” Wilson said. “If that’s the case, it may be red meat for Trump supporters.”

But Wilson said it won’t help Trump with his Latino voter outreach. Mexico’s president challenged Trump’s description of the activity along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Pena Nieto said the number of illegal border crossers is down to the point of having a negative net effect. He also stressed how Mexico is one of America’s most valuable trading partners.

Wilson said the Mexican president is trying to counter any negative effects from what Trump believes.

“They fear this has done real damage to the country in the international arena,” Wilson said. 


About the Author:

Jessie Degollado has been with KSAT since 1984. She is a general assignments reporter who covers a wide variety of stories. Raised in Laredo and as an anchor/reporter at KRGV in the Rio Grande Valley, Jessie is especially familiar with border and immigration issues. In 2007, Jessie also was inducted into the San Antonio Women's Hall of Fame.