I-Team: Uncovering the Truth at the Border, The Other Side

President Trump says 25 percent tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico are on the way as soon as March 4 after he gave those countries a month-long pause. 

His latest statements come after both countries worked to increase border security. 

The tariff threats are being felt two hours south of the Coachella Valley in Mexicali, Mexico. 

Trade happens every day through the Port of Entry in Calexico, California, just north of Mexicali. 

Mexicali is home to over one million people, and many of them line-up every morning to cross the border and work in the United States. 

Right now, Mexicali is also home to hundreds of Mexican Marines and National Guard, who’ve been on duty since February 8. 

Their presence is in response to President Trump's demand that Mexico step-up enforcement to keep fentanyl out of the United States. 

They’re searching cars leaving Mexico, using drug sniffing dogs, mirrors, and other tools. 

A couple from Indio had their vehicle searched by the Mexican National Guard. 

“This is a good idea.  Sometimes people don't like it because it's a lot of time, the line, but it's a little more, but for me that's fine," says Jose Lara Garcia. 

We’re told the crackdown has led to the discovery of things like fireworks and vapes.   They had not discovered fentanyl that was headed into the United States. 

Mexican Marines are also on duty a couple of miles into town providing security at a camp that’s been set-up for potential mass deportations from the United States. 

A worker says they have hundreds of beds set up but have only seen a few people. 

A Reuter’s investigation shows that mass deportations haven't started, finding that in the first month of the Trump administration, 37,660 people were removed from the U.S., down from a monthly average of 57,000 during the final year of the Biden administration. 

In Mexicali, we found most people unhappy with President Trump’s plans, but not angry at Americans. 

One man told us, “It's sad for the people who have put their butts on the line for their family and able to work that hard and be able to be taken away like that, it's not fair.” 

Another saying, “You gotta treat people with respect, you know.” 

The Hotel Del Norte sits across from the port of entry in Mexicali. 

Manager Manuel De La Cruz says the end of asylum cases is hurting business. 

"A lot of people show-up over here, to rent for the appointment for immigration,” De La Cruz says. 

On the other hand, he says that more business from asylum seekers made it difficult to serve visitors from the U.S. 

It’s not clear how long the increased security will last on the Mexican side of the border as negotiations continue over tariffs. 

In the meantime, De La Cruz says, “We expect when President Trump was coming in, he was going to bring change, but we will live that change to get better." 

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage on border issues. 

I-Team Investigator Karen Devine will report on similar issues impacting Canada, in a special report March 6 on News Channel 3 at 6. 

You can also see part one of John's series here: I-Team: Uncovering the Truth at the Border - Part 1