With Trump, We’re Screwed

In the event that a sort of abortion of nature were to occur, and on Nov. 5, Donald Trump were to win the presidency of the United States, the negative economic impact on Latin American countries would be a certainty.

According to the Trump Risk Index developed by the research and analysis division of the Economist Intelligence Unit, the Dominican Republic ranks fourth among the 10 main partners of the United States most vulnerable to political change in the event that the Republican candidate returns to power.

In the context of Latin America, a region identified by the report as most vulnerable because of its deep connections with the United States, our country would be the third most affected by a second Trump term, especially regarding security and immigration.

The data would indicate that, regarding a possible return of Trump to the White House, concern by Dominicans should focus on his position toward immigration. The economy of the DR depends on remittances coming from the diaspora in the U.S. — more than $8 billion a year.

Dominicans both here and there, especially those eligible to vote in the November elections, should keep in mind that Trump has maintained his tough stance toward irregular immigration throughout his campaign. He accuses foreigners of being “criminals” and of “invading” the United States and has promised the largest deportation in the history of that country.

Among Latin American countries, the Dominican Republic ranks fourth in receiving remittances, due to the presence of 2.3 million immigrants from our nation on U.S. territory.

According to the numbers reflected in the study by the Economist Intelligence Unit regarding migration, the Dominican Republic rises to the second position among the 10 countries most affected by the strict immigration and border policies proposed by the Republican candidate in his speeches.

So, Dominicans who can vote in the United States in November should be aware that doing so for Trump would be the same as voting against their country, and against friends and family who live here.