President Trump has threatened to close the US-Mexico border as cars line up at the border waiting to cross into the United States.
The Trump administration on Sunday doubled down on its threat to shut down the southern border with Mexico, a day after it cut aid to Central American countries that President Donald Trump accused of deliberately sending migrants to the United States.
In a tweet later that same day, Trump blamed Democrats for what he described as 'a ridiculous asylum system' that has 'major loopholes' and accused Mexico of not helping with migration.
At the Cordova-Americas international bridge in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua state, a long line of cars could be seen queuing to cross the border over the weekend.
Trump tweeted yesterday afternoon: '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!'
vehicles queued to cross the Cordova-Americas international border crossing bridge in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on Friday
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents stand guard at the Cordova-Americas international bridge in El Paso, Texas, U.S. which lanes remain partially closed delaying the crossing of vehicles in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua state, Mexico on Sunday
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents in El Paso, Texas, partially closed the lanes on the Cordova-Americas international bridge, delaying the crossing of vehicles on Sunday
Faced with a surge of asylum seekers from Central American countries who travel through Mexico, Trump said on Friday there was a 'good likelihood' he would close the border this coming week if Mexico did not stop unauthorized immigrants from reaching the United States.
Without providing evidence, he also accused the nations of having 'set up' migrant caravans and sending them north.
Closing the border could disrupt millions of legal crossings and billions of dollars in trade.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents in El Paso, Texas, partially closed the lanes of the bridge crossing, delaying vehicles getting into the US.
Trump on Friday again accused Mexico of failing to curb the flow of migrants illegally entering the US, and threatened to close the border 'next week' unless something changes.
The security measure is due to the 'humanitarian crisis' declared by CBP because it has processed 13,400 migrants detained by the Border Patrol.
Speaking to ABC's 'This Week' show, White House acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney said the president had few other options in the absence of any support from Democrats for more border security or legislative action to change the immigration law.
A U.S. Border and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official stands next a concrete K-rail with concertina wire at Cordova-Americas bridge to enhance security efforts in preparation for increasing number of migrants arriving at the border
Trump (pictured with first lady Melania Trump walking off Marine One at the White House yesterday) threatened to close the border with Mexico
'Faced with those limitations, the president will do everything he can. If closing the ports of entry means that, that's exactly what he intends to do,' Mulvaney said. 'We need border security and we're going to do the best we can with what we have.'
