The US tried to stop cartel money-laundering; devastated mom-and-pop businesses

The Trump administration's policy requiring businesses near the US-Mexico border to report cash transactions over $200 (down from $10,000) was intended to combat cartel money laundering, but has instead devastated small businesses and immigrant communities that rely on them for essential financial services. Small businesses like Nachita's Grocery in El Paso have seen customers avoid their money transfer services due to concerns about government surveillance and immigration enforcement, despite these services being vital for unbanked working-class residents to pay bills and send money to families.