Trump’s promises to ‘drill, baby, drill’ and kick out migrants are at odds. Here’s why – By Lauren Villagran (USA Today) / April 21, 2024
LEA COUNTY, N.M. – This sliver of southeastern New Mexico dotted with pumpjacks and gas wells helped catapult the U.S. to energy independence five years ago. Immigrant workers, including those here illegally, helped make it happen.
That has made for an uncomfortable reality here in this proudly conservative county, where immigration has fueled growth but the politics are deep red and nearly 80% of voters favored Donald Trump in the last election.
Now, Trump’s twin vows to “drill, baby, drill” and deport unauthorized immigrants are on a collision course in Lea County.
Here, fake work papers can be bought for $250 and oil companies employ workers – knowingly or not – who sneaked across America’s borders or overstayed a tourist visa. The complicated reality, experts say, is that today’s oil and gas economy is carried on the backs of migrant workers.
