President Trump on Monday urged Democrats to work with Republicans to address U.S. asylum laws quickly, the latest push from the president to refocus on immigration after he threatened last week to shutter the southern border and cut aid to Central American countries.
“Democrats, working with Republicans in Congress, can fix the Asylum and other loopholes quickly,” he said. “We have a major National Emergency at our Border. GET IT DONE NOW!”
{mosads}Trump previously sought to unilaterally change asylum laws by signing a proclamation to block some migrants who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border illegally from applying for asylum. Trump’s effort was blocked by a court order.
Trump regularly complains about U.S. immigration law. He often blames Democrats for a failure to act, despite Republicans controlling Congress for the first two years of his presidency.
He suggested on Sunday night that his administration could take action if Mexico and Congress do not prevent further illegal border crossings.
“The Democrats are allowing a ridiculous asylum system and major loopholes to remain as a mainstay of our immigration system,” he tweeted. “Mexico is likewise doing NOTHING, a very bad combination for our Country. Homeland Security is being sooo very nice, but not for long!”
The Democrats are allowing a ridiculous asylum system and major loopholes to remain as a mainstay of our immigration system. Mexico is likewise doing NOTHING, a very bad combination for our Country. Homeland Security is being sooo very nice, but not for long!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 31, 2019 >
After Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan said last week that immigration enforcement has reached a “breaking point,” Trump threatened to close the U.S.-Mexico border.
He doubled down on his threat on Friday, telling reporters there was a “very good likelihood” of the border closing. Acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and White House counselor Kellyanne Conway insisted on Sunday that the president was not bluffing.
Skeptics of the plan have warned that closing the border could negatively impact both the U.S. and Mexican economies, as billions of dollars in goods flow between the countries each year.
Trump also directed the State Department to halt aid to El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. The president has long complained that the countries have not done enough to prevent migrants from trekking to the U.S. in search of asylum.