WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump and immigration (all times local):
2:30 p.m.
President Donald Trump says the U.S. has “horrible” and “very unsafe” immigration laws, and he is calling on Congress to “get their act together” to change them.
Trump says during a joint press conference with the leaders of the Baltic nations that, “we don’t have laws. We have catch and release.”
Trump also says he spoke with Mexico and warned them to halt a caravan of mostly Honduran migrants traveling through the country. Trump has threatened to pull out of the North American Free Trade Agreement if Mexico doesn’t comply.
Trump announced earlier Tuesday that he’s preparing to use the military to secure the country’s southern border until the wall he wants built is constructed.
The White House later said Trump wants to mobilize the National Guard.
___
12:20 p.m.
President Donald Trump says he wants to use the military to secure the U.S.-Mexico border until his promised wall is built.
Trump says during a lunch with Baltic leaders that he’s spoken with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis about the idea.
He says, “We’re going to be doing things militarily until we can have a wall and proper security.”
He’s calling it a “big step.”
Trump begrudgingly signed a spending bill last month that provided far less money for the wall than he wanted.
He’s been complaining that U.S. borders are too porous and its immigration laws are too weak.
___
12:20 a.m.
Trump administration officials say they’re crafting a new legislative package aimed at closing immigration “loopholes” following the president’s calls for Republican lawmakers to immediately pass a border bill.
In one of his many tweets Monday, Trump wrote, “Honduras, Mexico and many other countries that the U.S. is very generous to, sends many of their people to our country through our WEAK IMMIGRATION POLICIES.” In another, he wrote in all caps, “ACT CONGRESS!”
Trump has been seething over immigration since realizing the major spending bill he signed last month barely funds the “big, beautiful” border wall he has promised his supporters.
Among the measures the administration is pursuing is ending special safeguards that prevent the immediate deportation of children arrested at the border and traveling alone.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.