The families of Mexican migrants to the U.S. are bracing for the financial impact of a proposed 3.5-percent tax on remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens, as President Donald Trump's latest budget proposal moves through Congress.
Mexico is the second-largest recipient of U.S. remittances after India. Remittances of U.S. dollars represent around four percent of the country's GDP.
During the Biden administration, migrants from Hidalgo, a state in central Mexico where migration to the U.S. has long been a lifeline, sent over six billion dollars in remittances back home to help sustain families in this impoverished state.
Now, as Trump seeks a piece of that pie, family members of migrants say they would struggle to adjust.
"It's quite a lot, a lot, because it wouldn't be enough for anything anymore, honestly, not anymore. Things are going up quite a bit, so it wouldn't be enough for anything anymore. If it was half enough before, it's not enough now," said Agustina Godinez, a resident in Epazoyucan.
If the remittances tax, part of Trump's "big beautiful" budget bill, is implemented, Mexico stands to lose over 2.6 billion dollars annually.
The hardest-hit regions will be those most dependent on these funds, as the cost of sending the average 350-dollar remittance would jump significantly from around 5 dollars to 17 dollars.
Adding to the strain, banking data showed remittance volumes to Mexico have already dropped more than 12 percent this year, as migrant workers face harsher conditions in the U.S. under Trump's policies.
"We do have this feeling that if there were raids in a certain place, we say, I'd better go tomorrow or the day after, or whatever. But yes, it's affected us," said Pablo Salazar, a returning migrant.
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum has condemned the proposed remittance tax, calling it unconstitutional.
As Trump tightens restrictions on migrant workers, his economic policies could end up hurting not just those in the U.S., but their families across the border who rely on every dollar sent home.
Trump's remittance tax hits Mexico's poorest
Trump's remittance tax hits Mexico's poorest
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
