Hundreds of migrants attempt to force their way into USA at the Mexico border crossing

Authorities in the US state of Arizona have agreed to remove a wall made of shipping containers at the Mexican border. Watch this video to know more.

Arizona agrees to dismantle shipping container wall on Mexican border

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidu9DTmcOYqtu6" /><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p>The US state of Arizona has agreed to dismantle the hideous-looking and rusting shipping container wall along the border with Mexico. The decision comes after the US government filed a lawsuit and argued that the makeshift wall was illegally built on federal land.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to court documents, outgoing Republican Governor Dough Ducey, responsible for erecting the containers, stretching almost seven miles along the border and costing the taxpayers $90 million agreed with the decision on Wednesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“By 4 January 2023, to the extent feasible and so as not to cause damage to United States’ lands, properties and natural resources, Arizona will remove all previously installed shipping containers and associated equipment, materials, vehicles,” read the agreement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to Ducey, the containers were placed to stem the flow of migrants crossing into the country. Earlier this year, he said the containers were a temporary fix and that his government was going ahead with its plans to close the gaps in the border.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Our border communities are being used as the entryway to the United States, overwhelming law enforcement, hospitals, nonprofits and residents. It’s our responsibility to protect our citizens and law enforcement from this unprecedented crisis,” added Ducey.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-mexico-border-faces-its-worst-migrant-crisis-410831"><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;US-Mexico border faces its worst migrant crisis</strong></a></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-mexico-border-faces-its-worst-migrant-crisis-410831/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>However, with Democrat governor-elect Katie Hobbs set to take charge in January, the Biden administration has started making moves.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The lawsuit was filed by the justice department on behalf of the Bureau of Reclamation, the department of agriculture and the Forest Services last week. Therein, the federal government requested the removal of containers in the San Rafael valley.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Officials from Reclamation and the Forest Service have notified Arizona that it is trespassing on federal lands. This action also seeks damages for Arizona’s trespasses, to compensate the United States for any actions it needs to take to undo Arizona’s actions and to remediate - to the extent possible - any injuries to the United States’ properties and interests," read the complaint.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The influx of aliens to the US, especially from the neighbouring country of Mexico is something which both the Democrats and Republicans have failed to find a concrete solution for.</p>

<p>While Republicans under former president Donald Trump were more concerned with building physical borders often echoing the pledge 'Build That Wall', the Biden administration is relatively lenient on migrants, allowing them to seep through the porous borders.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Consequently, for the major part of this year, states such as Arizona and Texas sent undocumented migrants to Washington DC and Vice President Kamala Harris's residence via buses to send a message to the White House.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-republican-led-states-sends-another-group-of-migrants-to-vp-kamala-harriss-residence-massachusetts-517292" target="_blank"><strong>Read more: US: Republican-led states sends another group of migrants to VP Kamala Harris's residence &amp; Massachusetts</strong></a></p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


The US state of Arizona has agreed to dismantle the hideous-looking and rusting shipping container wall along the border with Mexico. The decision comes after the US government filed a lawsuit and argued that the makeshift wall was illegally built on federal land.

The US state of Arizona has agreed to dismantle the hideous-looking and rusting shipping container wall along the border with Mexico. The decision comes after the US government filed a lawsuit and argued that the makeshift wall was illegally built on federal land. According to court documents, outgoing Republican Governor Dough Ducey, responsible for erecting the containers, stretching almost seven miles along the border and costing the taxpayers $90 million agreed with the decision on Wednesday. “By 4 January 2023, to the extent feasible and so as not to cause damage to United States’ lands, properties and natural resources, Arizona will remove all previously installed shipping containers and associated equipment, materials, vehicles,” read the agreement. According to Ducey, the containers were placed to stem the flow of migrants crossing into the country. Earlier this year, he said the containers were a temporary fix and that his government was going ahead with its plans to close the gaps in the border. “Our border communities are being used as the entryway to the United States, overwhelming law enforcement, hospitals, nonprofits and residents. It’s our responsibility to protect our citizens and law enforcement from this unprecedented crisis,” added Ducey. WATCH | US-Mexico border faces its worst migrant crisis × However, with Democrat governor-elect Katie Hobbs set to take charge in January, the Biden administration has started making moves. The lawsuit was filed by the justice department on behalf of the Bureau of Reclamation, the department of agriculture and the Forest Services last week. Therein, the federal government requested the removal of containers in the San Rafael valley. “Officials from Reclamation and the Forest Service have notified Arizona that it is trespassing on federal lands. This action also seeks damages for Arizona’s trespasses, to compensate the United States for any actions it needs to take to undo Arizona’s actions and to remediate - to the extent possible - any injuries to the United States’ properties and interests," read the complaint. The influx of aliens to the US, especially from the neighbouring country of Mexico is something which both the Democrats and Republicans have failed to find a concrete solution for. While Republicans under former president Donald Trump were more concerned with building physical borders often echoing the pledge 'Build That Wall', the Biden administration is relatively lenient on migrants, allowing them to seep through the porous borders. Consequently, for the major part of this year, states such as Arizona and Texas sent undocumented migrants to Washington DC and Vice President Kamala Harris's residence via buses to send a message to the White House. Read more: US: Republican-led states sends another group of migrants to VP Kamala Harris's residence & Massachusetts (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Arizona to dismantle rusting $90 million container wall on Mexico border

Smugglers are now abandoning children at the US border. A video - captured by US border authorities showed a smuggler dropping two kids over the US-Mexico border wall. WION's Paki tells you why America's migrant crisis could get worse.

Gravitas: Smugglers are dropping kids over the US - Mexico border wall

<p>The US Defense Department said Tuesday it was freeing up $3.6 billion in funds budgeted for other projects to build a wall on the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-threatens-closure-of-us-mexico-border-next-week-to-stem-asylum-surge-206626">Mexican border </a>as ordered by President Donald Trump.</p>

<p>Six weeks after being confirmed by Congress, Defense Secretary Mike Esper has signed off on the diversion of funds from 127 "deferred military projects" both inside and outside the country, said Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffmann.</p>

<p>Explainer: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-how-does-the-situation-on-the-us-mexico-border-compare-with-the-past-225130">How does the situation on the US-Mexico border compare with the past?</a></p>

<p>In February Trump, frustrated that Congress would not provide funding for the 18-foot (5.5-meter) barrier, declared a "national emergency" at the border in order to obtain $6.6 billion from other budgeted accounts for wall construction aimed at stemming the flow of undocumented migrants from Mexico and Central America.</p>

<p>That included an initial $2.5 billion from Pentagon spending that was to have been used for programs to combat the drug trade and other operations.</p>

<p>Multiple lawsuits against the wall led a federal judge to place an injunction blocking the funding until the cases could be reviewed.</p>

<p>But in a major political victory for the president, in July the Supreme Court overturned that ruling, allowing work to go ahead.</p>

<p>Since then, Pentagon funds have gone toward Department of Homeland Security projects to replace existing portions of wall along the 2,000 mile (3,200 kilometer) frontier, while no new wall has been erected.</p>

<p>In addition, the Defense Department has deployed thousands of uniformed troops to the Mexican border to help monitor security and provide backup logistics for hundreds of thousands of detained migrants.</p>

<p><strong>'Slap in the face'</strong></p>

<p>Building the wall was one of Trump's central campaign pledges in the 2016 president election battle, along with a promise that Mexico, and not US taxpayers, would foot the estimated $25 billion bill.</p>

<p>With a new election coming up next year, Trump has recently appeared sensitive to charges that no new mileage of wall has been built yet.</p>

<p>"When we rip down and totally replace a badly broken and dilapidated Barrier on the Southern Border, something which cannot do the job, the Fake News Media gives us zero credit for building a new Wall. We have replaced many miles of old Barrier with powerful new Walls!" Trump tweeted in July.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The Wall is going up very fast despite total Obstruction by Democrats in Congress, and elsewhere!" he wrote last week.</p>

<p>Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday that Trump's was pursuing the wall "to boost his own ego" and called it "a slap in the face to the members of the Armed Forces."</p>

<p>While Pentagon chief Esper's go-ahead signaled a likely surge in new wall building work immediately, the project could face more legal challenges.</p>

<p>Jack Reed, the senior Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, called for Congress to oppose "misusing defense dollars in this manner."</p>

<p>"Clearly, this administration is trying to circumvent Congressional authority and this ill-advised attempt should be legally challenged and struck down by the courts," Reed said in a statement.</p>

<p>The American Civil Liberties Union meanwhile said it would sue on the grounds of abuse of power by Trump.</p>

<p>"The fact that the government sat on these so-called 'emergency funds' for seven months further confirms that this is nothing but an unlawful power grab," said ACLU staff attorney Dror Ladin.</p>


The US Defense Department said Tuesday it was freeing up $3.6 billion in funds budgeted for other projects to build a wall on the Mexican border as ordered by President Donald Trump.

The US Defense Department said Tuesday it was freeing up $3.6 billion in funds budgeted for other projects to build a wall on the Mexican border as ordered by President Donald Trump. Six weeks after being confirmed by Congress, Defense Secretary Mike Esper has signed off on the diversion of funds from 127 "deferred military projects" both inside and outside the country, said Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffmann. Explainer: How does the situation on the US-Mexico border compare with the past? In February Trump, frustrated that Congress would not provide funding for the 18-foot (5.5-meter) barrier, declared a "national emergency" at the border in order to obtain $6.6 billion from other budgeted accounts for wall construction aimed at stemming the flow of undocumented migrants from Mexico and Central America. That included an initial $2.5 billion from Pentagon spending that was to have been used for programs to combat the drug trade and other operations. Multiple lawsuits against the wall led a federal judge to place an injunction blocking the funding until the cases could be reviewed. But in a major political victory for the president, in July the Supreme Court overturned that ruling, allowing work to go ahead. Since then, Pentagon funds have gone toward Department of Homeland Security projects to replace existing portions of wall along the 2,000 mile (3,200 kilometer) frontier, while no new wall has been erected. In addition, the Defense Department has deployed thousands of uniformed troops to the Mexican border to help monitor security and provide backup logistics for hundreds of thousands of detained migrants. 'Slap in the face' Building the wall was one of Trump's central campaign pledges in the 2016 president election battle, along with a promise that Mexico, and not US taxpayers, would foot the estimated $25 billion bill. With a new election coming up next year, Trump has recently appeared sensitive to charges that no new mileage of wall has been built yet. "When we rip down and totally replace a badly broken and dilapidated Barrier on the Southern Border, something which cannot do the job, the Fake News Media gives us zero credit for building a new Wall. We have replaced many miles of old Barrier with powerful new Walls!" Trump tweeted in July. "The Wall is going up very fast despite total Obstruction by Democrats in Congress, and elsewhere!" he wrote last week. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday that Trump's was pursuing the wall "to boost his own ego" and called it "a slap in the face to the members of the Armed Forces." While Pentagon chief Esper's go-ahead signaled a likely surge in new wall building work immediately, the project could face more legal challenges. Jack Reed, the senior Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, called for Congress to oppose "misusing defense dollars in this manner." "Clearly, this administration is trying to circumvent Congressional authority and this ill-advised attempt should be legally challenged and struck down by the courts," Reed said in a statement. The American Civil Liberties Union meanwhile said it would sue on the grounds of abuse of power by Trump. "The fact that the government sat on these so-called 'emergency funds' for seven months further confirms that this is nothing but an unlawful power grab," said ACLU staff attorney Dror Ladin.

Pentagon frees $3.6 billion for wall construction on Mexican border

<p>The number of migrants reaching <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-900-children-separated-at-us-border-since-policy-halted-aclu-239605">Mexico`s border with the United States</a> has fallen almost 40 per cent since May, the Mexican government said on Tuesday, seeking to defuse tensions with US President Donald Trump over a recent surge in migration.</p>

<p>Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said that according to a preliminary estimate, 87,648 people would reach the US border during July. That would represent a fall of around 39.5 per cent compared to the 144,278 migrants registered in May, he added.</p>

<p>"This is a considerable reduction," the minister told reporters at a regular government news conference.</p>

<p>A jump in migrant apprehensions on the US southwest border during the first few months of 2019 prompted Trump on May 30 to threaten tariffs on all Mexican exports to the United States if Mexico did not contain the flow of people.</p>

<p>Mexico responded by sending out thousands of National Guardsmen to tighten up its southern and northern borders, and this month the government said it had averted the risk of having to adopt new migration rules that could allow Trump to expel thousands of asylum-seekers into Mexico.</p>

<p>Ebrard credited the migrant slowdown to rising job creation in Central America, spurred in part by the Mexican government`s efforts to foster development programs and growth there.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Most of the migrants caught trying to enter the United States illegally are from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, three countries ravaged by violence, inequality and poverty.</p>

<p>Mexico`s government said on Saturday that it will help Honduras create 20,000 jobs by December, building on earlier commitments to El Salvador.</p>


The number of migrants reaching Mexico`s border with the United States has fallen almost 40 per cent since May, the Mexican government said on Tuesday, seeking to defuse tensions with US President Donald Trump over a recent surge in migration.

The number of migrants reaching Mexico`s border with the United States has fallen almost 40 per cent since May, the Mexican government said on Tuesday, seeking to defuse tensions with US President Donald Trump over a recent surge in migration. Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said that according to a preliminary estimate, 87,648 people would reach the US border during July. That would represent a fall of around 39.5 per cent compared to the 144,278 migrants registered in May, he added. "This is a considerable reduction," the minister told reporters at a regular government news conference. A jump in migrant apprehensions on the US southwest border during the first few months of 2019 prompted Trump on May 30 to threaten tariffs on all Mexican exports to the United States if Mexico did not contain the flow of people. Mexico responded by sending out thousands of National Guardsmen to tighten up its southern and northern borders, and this month the government said it had averted the risk of having to adopt new migration rules that could allow Trump to expel thousands of asylum-seekers into Mexico. Ebrard credited the migrant slowdown to rising job creation in Central America, spurred in part by the Mexican government`s efforts to foster development programs and growth there. Most of the migrants caught trying to enter the United States illegally are from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, three countries ravaged by violence, inequality and poverty. Mexico`s government said on Saturday that it will help Honduras create 20,000 jobs by December, building on earlier commitments to El Salvador.

Mexico says migrant numbers at US border down 40% since May

<p>The Trump administration moved on Monday to declare most migrants who cross the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-migrants-wait-in-fear-no-sign-of-large-scale-us-raids-236016"> US southern border after </a>passing through Mexico ineligible for asylum.</p>

<p>A new rule redefining asylum eligibility - to take effect on Tuesday - is the latest attempt to stem the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mike-pence-visits-overcrowded-bad-smelling-facility-for-detained-migrants-in-texas-235432">flow of undocumented migrants</a> into the country, and comes amid White House frustration at Congress's failure to toughen immigration laws.</p>

<p>"The United States is a generous country but is being completely overwhelmed by the burdens associated with apprehending and processing hundreds of thousands of aliens along the southern border," Attorney General Bill Barr said in a statement.</p>

<p>"This rule will decrease forum shopping by economic migrants and those who seek to exploit our asylum system to obtain entry to the United States," Barr added.</p>

<p>The White House's new rule targets the recent stream of hundreds of thousands of migrants from Central America and other countries who have tried to cross into the United States from Mexico and request asylum to gain a foothold inside the country.</p>

<p>These requests - increasingly made by families claiming to flee endemic violence and poverty in their countries - allow the applicants to remain in the United States and to move around freely while their cases are adjudicated, which can take two years.</p>

<p>Many disappear into the country and never appear in court for their hearings, immigration officials say.</p>

<p>The new rule declares any migrant who enters the United States from the southern border and who have not asked for asylum protection in any of the countries they cross to get to the United States ineligible for asylum.</p>

<p>Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan said the move, labelled an "interim rule" in lieu of action by Congress, was necessary because previous efforts to change immigration laws to stem the flow of migrants had proven inadequate.</p>

<p>"Until Congress can act, this interim rule will help reduce a major 'pull' factor driving irregular migration to the United States... leading to fewer individuals transiting through Mexico on a dangerous journey," McAleenan said.</p>

<p>The rule includes exceptions for people who can demonstrate they are victims of torture or persecution.</p>

<p>But US immigration officials have made clear they consider most of the recent migrants from Central America to be economic migrants, and thus not qualified for asylum.</p>

<p>The rule could quickly run into legal challenges that have repeatedly stymied the White House's efforts to slow the number of migrants entering the country without documentation.</p>

<p>The number of border-crossers detained by the US Border Patrol surged to a 13-year high of more than 144,000 in May before easing to 104,000 in June - still up 142 per cent from a year earlier.</p>

<p>Most are families from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.</p>

<p>But increasingly migrants from other countries, including rising numbers from South Asia and Africa, are taking the same route through Mexico to the US southern border.</p>

<p>And meanwhile, the large numbers of migrants crossing the US border has overwhelmed the capacity of officials to house and care for them, with many, including children, being held in squalid conditions for weeks as they await processing.</p>

<p>The Trump administration has pressured Mexico and Guatemala, on Mexico's southern border, to accept migrants' asylum requests in their countries but both have resisted.</p>

<p>On Sunday, Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales cancelled a planned trip to Washington to discuss and possibly seal a deal making Guatemala a "safe third country" for asylum requests.</p>

<p>Later on Sunday, the country's constitutional court imposed an injunction on Morales sealing any deal, saying it first needed the approval of lawmakers, some of whom say it would make their country a dumping ground for migrants heading to the US.</p>

<p>Former foreign minister Edgar Gutierrez told the daily El Periodico that the deal would have made Guatemala, one of the region's poorest countries, "the biggest concentration camp in history."</p>


The Trump administration moved on Monday to declare most migrants who cross the US southern border after passing through Mexico ineligible for asylum. A new rule redefining asylum eligibility - to take effect on Tuesday - is the latest attempt to stem the flow of undocumented migrants into the country, and comes amid White House frustration at Congress's failure to toughen immigration laws.

The Trump administration moved on Monday to declare most migrants who cross the US southern border after passing through Mexico ineligible for asylum. A new rule redefining asylum eligibility - to take effect on Tuesday - is the latest attempt to stem the flow of undocumented migrants into the country, and comes amid White House frustration at Congress's failure to toughen immigration laws. "The United States is a generous country but is being completely overwhelmed by the burdens associated with apprehending and processing hundreds of thousands of aliens along the southern border," Attorney General Bill Barr said in a statement. "This rule will decrease forum shopping by economic migrants and those who seek to exploit our asylum system to obtain entry to the United States," Barr added. The White House's new rule targets the recent stream of hundreds of thousands of migrants from Central America and other countries who have tried to cross into the United States from Mexico and request asylum to gain a foothold inside the country. These requests - increasingly made by families claiming to flee endemic violence and poverty in their countries - allow the applicants to remain in the United States and to move around freely while their cases are adjudicated, which can take two years. Many disappear into the country and never appear in court for their hearings, immigration officials say. The new rule declares any migrant who enters the United States from the southern border and who have not asked for asylum protection in any of the countries they cross to get to the United States ineligible for asylum. Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan said the move, labelled an "interim rule" in lieu of action by Congress, was necessary because previous efforts to change immigration laws to stem the flow of migrants had proven inadequate. "Until Congress can act, this interim rule will help reduce a major 'pull' factor driving irregular migration to the United States... leading to fewer individuals transiting through Mexico on a dangerous journey," McAleenan said. The rule includes exceptions for people who can demonstrate they are victims of torture or persecution. But US immigration officials have made clear they consider most of the recent migrants from Central America to be economic migrants, and thus not qualified for asylum. The rule could quickly run into legal challenges that have repeatedly stymied the White House's efforts to slow the number of migrants entering the country without documentation. The number of border-crossers detained by the US Border Patrol surged to a 13-year high of more than 144,000 in May before easing to 104,000 in June - still up 142 per cent from a year earlier. Most are families from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. But increasingly migrants from other countries, including rising numbers from South Asia and Africa, are taking the same route through Mexico to the US southern border. And meanwhile, the large numbers of migrants crossing the US border has overwhelmed the capacity of officials to house and care for them, with many, including children, being held in squalid conditions for weeks as they await processing. The Trump administration has pressured Mexico and Guatemala, on Mexico's southern border, to accept migrants' asylum requests in their countries but both have resisted. On Sunday, Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales cancelled a planned trip to Washington to discuss and possibly seal a deal making Guatemala a "safe third country" for asylum requests. Later on Sunday, the country's constitutional court imposed an injunction on Morales sealing any deal, saying it first needed the approval of lawmakers, some of whom say it would make their country a dumping ground for migrants heading to the US. Former foreign minister Edgar Gutierrez told the daily El Periodico that the deal would have made Guatemala, one of the region's poorest countries, "the biggest concentration camp in history."

Trump administration moves to block asylum for migrants entering US from Mexico

<p>Mexico`s Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said he started negotiating with officials in Washington on Friday after US President Donald Trump<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-plans-5-tariff-on-mexican-imports-over-illegal-immigration-222998"> threatened tariffs on imports </a>of Mexican products but face-to-face talks will not happen until next week.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ebrard said on Twitter that he had spoken to senior White House adviser Jared Kushner and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo by phone, and that there was a willingness to resolve the dispute.</p>

<p>"The negotiations have started," Ebrard said before boarding a plane to Washington. "I heard interest and respect about the letter from President Lopez Obrador. We are moving forward."</p>

<p>However, Ebrard said in-person talks would not take place until Wednesday in Washington, and that Pompeo would lead the US delegation. Ebrard will be accompanied by deputy foreign minister for North America, Jesus Seade, a veteran trade negotiator.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said earlier on Friday that he would respond with "great prudence" to Trump`s threats to impose punitive tariffs on Mexican products on June 10.</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-eyes-steps-to-cut-immigrant-flows-to-us-border-official-223382">Mexico eyes steps to cut immigrant flows to US border: Official</a></p>

<p>Trump has accused Mexico of not doing enough to stop the flow of illegal immigration from Central America to the United States but Lopez Obrador said his migration policy was already producing results.&nbsp;</p>


Mexico`s Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said he started negotiating with officials in Washington on Friday after US President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on imports of Mexican products but face-to-face talks will not happen until next week.

Mexico`s Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said he started negotiating with officials in Washington on Friday after US President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on imports of Mexican products but face-to-face talks will not happen until next week. Ebrard said on Twitter that he had spoken to senior White House adviser Jared Kushner and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo by phone, and that there was a willingness to resolve the dispute. "The negotiations have started," Ebrard said before boarding a plane to Washington. "I heard interest and respect about the letter from President Lopez Obrador. We are moving forward." However, Ebrard said in-person talks would not take place until Wednesday in Washington, and that Pompeo would lead the US delegation. Ebrard will be accompanied by deputy foreign minister for North America, Jesus Seade, a veteran trade negotiator. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said earlier on Friday that he would respond with "great prudence" to Trump`s threats to impose punitive tariffs on Mexican products on June 10. Also read: Mexico eyes steps to cut immigrant flows to US border: Official Trump has accused Mexico of not doing enough to stop the flow of illegal immigration from Central America to the United States but Lopez Obrador said his migration policy was already producing results.

The negotiations have started, we are moving forward: Mexican minister on US

<p>New Mexico`s state fairgrounds will begin to house dozens of migrant families to take the pressure off border cities facing a surge in asylum seekers with no help from the federal government,<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/photos/america-to-decide-fate-of-key-houses-in-us-midterm-elections-175800&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjdn7azn_rhAhXKLI8KHW1jAtUQFjAHegQIBhAB&amp;usg=AOvVaw27BocEl-9IUo-99BcF_oAw"> Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham</a> said on Tuesday.</p>

<p>Dormitories at state-run Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque could eventually provide temporary accommodation to up to 240 people, making it one of the largest migrant shelters in the state, according to state and city authorities.</p>

<p>Lujan Grisham has called for a humanitarian response to the rise in asylum seekers, condemning a "charade of fear-mongering" by US&nbsp;President Donald Trump, who has variously warned of a migrant "crisis" and "invasion" at the country`s southern border with Mexico.</p>

<p>"The federal government has not provided shelter or timely adjudication at the border leaving migrants without any means to make arrangements to get to their sponsors or family members in the United States," according to a joint statement by the governor and Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, both Democrats.</p>

<p>Migrant shelters in border cities like El Paso, Texas, and Las Cruces, New Mexico, are at or near capacity as record numbers of mainly Central American families cross the border to seek asylum.</p>

<p>The mayors of New Mexico`s three largest cities - Las Cruces, Albuquerque and Santa Fe - have offered resources to help charities and faith-based organizations care for migrants after they are dropped off by US immigration authorities.</p>

<p>"Burqueños (Albuquerque residents) of every faith, ethnicity, and background have come together where the federal government has failed," Keller said in the statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Las Cruces has received over 2,400 migrants since the US&nbsp;Border Patrol began to release them directly to shelters on April 12, said Claudia Tristan, a spokeswoman for Lujan Grisham.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Expo New Mexico will absorb the cost of housing migrants and no scheduled activities will be disrupted at the area which hosts the annual state fair, Tristan said.</p>

<p>The centre can immediately house 60 migrants and has the capacity to house up to 240 once minor repairs are undertaken to dormitories, said spokesman Wyndham Kemsley.</p>

<p>Charities will continue to provide food and medical services to migrants, who will spend a night or two at the centre before travelling on to final destinations in the United States, the statement said.</p>

<p>US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokeswoman Leticia Zamarripa said her agency would work with El Paso`s Annunciation House migrant organization to coordinate transportation of migrants to the Expo New Mexico.&nbsp;</p>

<p>US Customs and Border Protection, which runs US&nbsp;Border Patrol, did not respond to a request for comment.</p>


New Mexico`s state fairgrounds will begin to house dozens of migrant families to take the pressure off border cities facing a surge in asylum seekers with no help from the federal government, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said on Tuesday.

New Mexico`s state fairgrounds will begin to house dozens of migrant families to take the pressure off border cities facing a surge in asylum seekers with no help from the federal government, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said on Tuesday. Dormitories at state-run Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque could eventually provide temporary accommodation to up to 240 people, making it one of the largest migrant shelters in the state, according to state and city authorities. Lujan Grisham has called for a humanitarian response to the rise in asylum seekers, condemning a "charade of fear-mongering" by US President Donald Trump, who has variously warned of a migrant "crisis" and "invasion" at the country`s southern border with Mexico. "The federal government has not provided shelter or timely adjudication at the border leaving migrants without any means to make arrangements to get to their sponsors or family members in the United States," according to a joint statement by the governor and Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, both Democrats. Migrant shelters in border cities like El Paso, Texas, and Las Cruces, New Mexico, are at or near capacity as record numbers of mainly Central American families cross the border to seek asylum. The mayors of New Mexico`s three largest cities - Las Cruces, Albuquerque and Santa Fe - have offered resources to help charities and faith-based organizations care for migrants after they are dropped off by US immigration authorities. "Burqueños (Albuquerque residents) of every faith, ethnicity, and background have come together where the federal government has failed," Keller said in the statement. Las Cruces has received over 2,400 migrants since the US Border Patrol began to release them directly to shelters on April 12, said Claudia Tristan, a spokeswoman for Lujan Grisham. Expo New Mexico will absorb the cost of housing migrants and no scheduled activities will be disrupted at the area which hosts the annual state fair, Tristan said. The centre can immediately house 60 migrants and has the capacity to house up to 240 once minor repairs are undertaken to dormitories, said spokesman Wyndham Kemsley. Charities will continue to provide food and medical services to migrants, who will spend a night or two at the centre before travelling on to final destinations in the United States, the statement said. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokeswoman Leticia Zamarripa said her agency would work with El Paso`s Annunciation House migrant organization to coordinate transportation of migrants to the Expo New Mexico. US Customs and Border Protection, which runs US Border Patrol, did not respond to a request for comment.

New Mexico opens state migrant shelter, criticises federal inaction

<p>US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-be-deploying-320-additional-troops-along-mexico-border-us-defence-department-214622">Donald Trump has directed </a>his administration to charge fees for asylum claims and handle cases within 180 days, the White House said in a statement Monday night.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The announcement came as Trump blasted what he described as the United States' "weak, ineffective and dangerous" immigration laws on Twitter.</p>

<p>The memo outlined other changes including charging asylum seekers to file work permit applications, and barring people who enter the US illegally -&nbsp;or attempt to -&nbsp;from receiving temporary work permits before being approved for relief.</p>

<p>It also directed officials to revoke the work permits of immigrants who receive final deportation orders.</p>

<p>The order came two weeks after Attorney General Bill Barr directed immigration judges to no longer allow asylum seekers apprehended after entering the country illegally to post bail, according to the US media reports.</p>

<p>Trump has staked his presidency on his insistence that the United States is being overrun by migrants and asylum seekers.</p>

<p>But opponents, mostly in the Democratic Party, say his push for building more barriers on the Mexican border and his almost daily denunciations of migrants as dangerous criminals incites racial hatred.</p>

<p>The president declared an emergency to bypass Congress and unlock billions of dollars in funding for his controversial wall project, and has also deployed troops to the border with Mexico.</p>


US President Donald Trump has directed his administration to charge fees for asylum claims and handle cases within 180 days, the White House said in a statement Monday night.

US President Donald Trump has directed his administration to charge fees for asylum claims and handle cases within 180 days, the White House said in a statement Monday night. The announcement came as Trump blasted what he described as the United States' "weak, ineffective and dangerous" immigration laws on Twitter. The memo outlined other changes including charging asylum seekers to file work permit applications, and barring people who enter the US illegally - or attempt to - from receiving temporary work permits before being approved for relief. It also directed officials to revoke the work permits of immigrants who receive final deportation orders. The order came two weeks after Attorney General Bill Barr directed immigration judges to no longer allow asylum seekers apprehended after entering the country illegally to post bail, according to the US media reports. Trump has staked his presidency on his insistence that the United States is being overrun by migrants and asylum seekers. But opponents, mostly in the Democratic Party, say his push for building more barriers on the Mexican border and his almost daily denunciations of migrants as dangerous criminals incites racial hatred. The president declared an emergency to bypass Congress and unlock billions of dollars in funding for his controversial wall project, and has also deployed troops to the border with Mexico.

Trump directs officials to charge fees for asylum claims, settle cases in 180 days

<p>US president Donald Trump said today that he would be sending "armed soldiers to the border" with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-warns-of-deep-concern-over-armed-groups-on-us-border-212218">Mexico since the country </a>wasn't doing enough in "apprehending and returning smugglers at the border".</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mexico’s Soldiers recently pulled guns on our National Guard Soldiers, probably as a diversionary tactic for drug smugglers on the Border. Better not happen again! We are now sending ARMED SOLDIERS to the Border. Mexico is not doing nearly enough in apprehending &amp; returning!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1121021160827887616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>"Mexico’s soldiers recently pulled guns on our National Guard soldiers, probably as a diversionary tactic for drug smugglers on the Border. Better not happen again!," the US president said, adding, "We are now sending armed soldiers to the border."</p>

<p>Trump appeared to be referring to an April 13 incident in which Mexican troops reportedly questioned and pointed their weapons at two US troops conducting surveillance on the border.</p>

<p>US defence officials had said earlier that two US soldiers were in an unmarked vehicle conducting surveillance on the American side of the border when they were approached by five to six Mexican military personnel.</p>

<p>The officials said the Mexican soldiers pointed their weapons at the US troops, removed a soldier's sidearm and returned it to their unmarked vehicle. Although the area was on the US side of the border north of the Rio Grande in Texas, it was south of the border fence.</p>

<p>Mexico said on Saturday had expressed “deep concern” about armed groups that intimidate and extort migrants on the border. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico had condemned the United Constitutional Patriots, which patrols the southern US border in New Mexico, as a “fascist militia organization” operating outside the law.</p>

<p>The group has posted videos showing members dressed in camouflage and armed with semi-automatic rifles holding groups of migrants, many Central American families seeking asylum&nbsp;until US Border Patrol agents arrive.</p>

<p>The small volunteer group says it is helping the Border Patrol deal with a surge in undocumented migrants at the southern border.</p>


US president Donald Trump said today that he would be sending "armed soldiers to the border" with Mexico since the country wasn't doing enough in "apprehending and returning smugglers at the border".

US president Donald Trump said today that he would be sending "armed soldiers to the border" with Mexico since the country wasn't doing enough in "apprehending and returning smugglers at the border". Mexico’s Soldiers recently pulled guns on our National Guard Soldiers, probably as a diversionary tactic for drug smugglers on the Border. Better not happen again! We are now sending ARMED SOLDIERS to the Border. Mexico is not doing nearly enough in apprehending & returning! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 24, 2019 × "Mexico’s soldiers recently pulled guns on our National Guard soldiers, probably as a diversionary tactic for drug smugglers on the Border. Better not happen again!," the US president said, adding, "We are now sending armed soldiers to the border." Trump appeared to be referring to an April 13 incident in which Mexican troops reportedly questioned and pointed their weapons at two US troops conducting surveillance on the border. US defence officials had said earlier that two US soldiers were in an unmarked vehicle conducting surveillance on the American side of the border when they were approached by five to six Mexican military personnel. The officials said the Mexican soldiers pointed their weapons at the US troops, removed a soldier's sidearm and returned it to their unmarked vehicle. Although the area was on the US side of the border north of the Rio Grande in Texas, it was south of the border fence. Mexico said on Saturday had expressed “deep concern” about armed groups that intimidate and extort migrants on the border. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico had condemned the United Constitutional Patriots, which patrols the southern US border in New Mexico, as a “fascist militia organization” operating outside the law. The group has posted videos showing members dressed in camouflage and armed with semi-automatic rifles holding groups of migrants, many Central American families seeking asylum until US Border Patrol agents arrive. The small volunteer group says it is helping the Border Patrol deal with a surge in undocumented migrants at the southern border.

Will be sending armed soldiers to Mexico border: Trump

<p>US President<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-threatens-tariffs-if-mexico-does-not-help-with-immigration-drugs-208019"> Donald Trump visited the Mexican</a> border on Friday to deliver a message to would-be illegal immigrants and asylum seekers: don't bother coming.</p>

<p>"The system is full and we can't take you anymore... Our country is full," he said at a meeting with border patrol officers and other officials in Calexico, California. "So turn around, that's the way it is."</p>

<p>Shortly after, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-100-ready-to-shut-down-mexico-border-207612">Trump visited a section</a> of recently refurbished border wall - something he wants extended across far more of the US-Mexico frontier -- and said illegal immigrants had previously been "pouring" in.</p>

<p>The California trip followed a retreat from earlier threats to close the border, which had sparked fears of serious economic damage.</p>

<p>Nevertheless, Trump sees his campaign against a "crisis" on the border as key to his 2020 reelection bid, and his time in Calexico was meant to keep that message in the headlines.</p>

<p>Numbers of migrants and asylum seekers fleeing violence in Central America have risen sharply, although there are enormous political divides on whether this constitutes the "national emergency" that Trump has declared.</p>

<p>Around 200 protesters, accompanied by a giant inflatable balloon depicting Trump as a baby, were waiting for the president in Mexicali, the town on the Mexican side of the frontier.</p>

<p>Waving US and Mexican flags, the protesters carried signs with messages such as "Stop separating families" and "If you build the wall, my generation will tear it down."</p>

<p>On the US side, dozens of people lined the road that Trump's motorcade took, demonstrating support for his policies. "Build the wall," said one placard.</p>

<p>Before leaving Washington earlier Friday, Trump said that his previous threats to shut down the border had been successful in persuading Mexican authorities to clamp down by stopping migrants on their journey north.</p>

<p>"Mexico, I have to say, has been very, very good... over the last four days since I talked about shutting down the border," he said.</p>

<p>Trump reiterated that actually closing the border is not currently in the cards, but said he will instead impose 25 percent tariffs on auto imports from Mexico if illegal migration and drug smuggling are not controlled.</p>

<p>Trump also said he could still order the border closed later. "I may shut it down at some point but I'd rather do tariffs," he said.</p>

<p>While sounding tough, Trump's surprise shift this week to tariffs from the previous threat to close the border is a major climb down.</p>

<p>For days, the White House had been signaling that he was serious about the threat and there was even speculation that he might announce a closing during his Calexico trip.</p>

<p>However, the idea caused alarm among economists and Congress, including in Trump's Republican Party. Mexico is the third-largest US trading partner and any hold-ups at border crossings would have an immediate impact on trade.</p>

<p>The tariffs idea is also causing confusion.</p>

<p>On Thursday, Trump indicated there would be a one-year deadline for Mexico to improve the situation before tariffs kicked in. However, it was not clear if he meant that both for the drug smuggling and migration, or whether he wanted the migration issue resolved immediately.</p>

<p>On Friday, the timing was no clearer. But he seemed to suggest that he might seek to punish Mexico at any time he thought the southern neighbor was not doing enough.</p>

<p>"We're going to shut (the border) down if we have to. We going to tariff the cars, Mexico, if we have to," he said.</p>

<p>It was also unclear how such tariffs would fit into the countries' deeply intertwined trading relationship, which is governed by NAFTA, a free trade accord also including Canada that is due to be replaced by an updated version called the USMCA.</p>

<p>Leaders of the three countries signed the USMCA in November after more than a year of negotiations.</p>

<p>Trump said Friday that his tariffs would "supersede USMCA. It's a great deal, and it's very good for Mexico. But this will supersede USMCA."</p>

<p>In Mexico City, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador urged investors to "stay calm."</p>

<p>"Our relationship with the government of the United States is very good," he said.</p>


US President Donald Trump visited the Mexican border on Friday to deliver a message to would-be illegal immigrants and asylum seekers: don't bother coming. "The system is full and we can't take you anymore.

US President Donald Trump visited the Mexican border on Friday to deliver a message to would-be illegal immigrants and asylum seekers: don't bother coming. "The system is full and we can't take you anymore... Our country is full," he said at a meeting with border patrol officers and other officials in Calexico, California. "So turn around, that's the way it is." Shortly after, Trump visited a section of recently refurbished border wall - something he wants extended across far more of the US-Mexico frontier -- and said illegal immigrants had previously been "pouring" in. The California trip followed a retreat from earlier threats to close the border, which had sparked fears of serious economic damage. Nevertheless, Trump sees his campaign against a "crisis" on the border as key to his 2020 reelection bid, and his time in Calexico was meant to keep that message in the headlines. Numbers of migrants and asylum seekers fleeing violence in Central America have risen sharply, although there are enormous political divides on whether this constitutes the "national emergency" that Trump has declared. Around 200 protesters, accompanied by a giant inflatable balloon depicting Trump as a baby, were waiting for the president in Mexicali, the town on the Mexican side of the frontier. Waving US and Mexican flags, the protesters carried signs with messages such as "Stop separating families" and "If you build the wall, my generation will tear it down." On the US side, dozens of people lined the road that Trump's motorcade took, demonstrating support for his policies. "Build the wall," said one placard. Before leaving Washington earlier Friday, Trump said that his previous threats to shut down the border had been successful in persuading Mexican authorities to clamp down by stopping migrants on their journey north. "Mexico, I have to say, has been very, very good... over the last four days since I talked about shutting down the border," he said. Trump reiterated that actually closing the border is not currently in the cards, but said he will instead impose 25 percent tariffs on auto imports from Mexico if illegal migration and drug smuggling are not controlled. Trump also said he could still order the border closed later. "I may shut it down at some point but I'd rather do tariffs," he said. While sounding tough, Trump's surprise shift this week to tariffs from the previous threat to close the border is a major climb down. For days, the White House had been signaling that he was serious about the threat and there was even speculation that he might announce a closing during his Calexico trip. However, the idea caused alarm among economists and Congress, including in Trump's Republican Party. Mexico is the third-largest US trading partner and any hold-ups at border crossings would have an immediate impact on trade. The tariffs idea is also causing confusion. On Thursday, Trump indicated there would be a one-year deadline for Mexico to improve the situation before tariffs kicked in. However, it was not clear if he meant that both for the drug smuggling and migration, or whether he wanted the migration issue resolved immediately. On Friday, the timing was no clearer. But he seemed to suggest that he might seek to punish Mexico at any time he thought the southern neighbor was not doing enough. "We're going to shut (the border) down if we have to. We going to tariff the cars, Mexico, if we have to," he said. It was also unclear how such tariffs would fit into the countries' deeply intertwined trading relationship, which is governed by NAFTA, a free trade accord also including Canada that is due to be replaced by an updated version called the USMCA. Leaders of the three countries signed the USMCA in November after more than a year of negotiations. Trump said Friday that his tariffs would "supersede USMCA. It's a great deal, and it's very good for Mexico. But this will supersede USMCA." In Mexico City, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador urged investors to "stay calm." "Our relationship with the government of the United States is very good," he said.

Our country is full, turn around: Trump to asylum seekers at Mexico border

<p>President Donald Trump issued the first veto of his presidency on Friday to block a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-senate-republican-delivers-blow-to-trump-border-emergency-203207">measure passed by Democrats and Republicans</a> in Congress that would terminate his emergency declaration for a wall on the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-declares-us-mexico-border-emergency-democrats-protest-197678">US border with Mexico</a>.</p>

<p>The veto, made necessary after a strong and unusual rebuke from members of Trump's Republican party, capped a week that left Trump politically wounded, at least temporarily, as immigration and his signature promise of a wall become a flashpoint again in the 2020 presidential campaign.</p>

<p>Congress is unlikely to muster the votes to override Trump's veto, a fact that left White House officials confident despite disappointment that it passed the Republican-controlled Senate at all.</p>

<p>The bipartisan vote on Thursday was a slap at Trump for his decision to circumvent Congress and take money already designated for other programs to pay for a barrier on the southern border.</p>

<p>Twelve Republicans joined Democrats in the Senate to pass the measure, concerned that the president had overstepped his authority.</p>

<p>Trump repeated his view that a crisis existed at the border, called the resolution reckless and said he was proud to veto it.</p>

<p>"As president the protection of the nation is my highest duty. Yesterday, Congress passed a dangerous resolution that if signed into law would put countless Americans in danger, very grave danger," he said, sitting behind his desk in the Oval Office. "Congress has the freedom to pass this resolution, and I have the duty to veto it."</p>

<p>The White House had lobbied heavily for Republicans to back Trump, despite concerns among some about executive overreach and precedent-setting action that a future Democratic president could copy on policies that Republicans oppose. The president, without acknowledging that lobbying, said he had sympathy for those who defied him, adding they did what they had to do.</p>

<p>US Attorney General William Barr said the president's emergency declaration was legal.</p>

<p>It is being challenged in court as an unconstitutional usurpation of Congress' power of the purse.</p>

<p>Democratic Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi said her chamber would vote on March 26 to override the veto.</p>

<p>“The House and Senate resoundingly rejected the president’s lawless power grab, yet the president has chosen to continue to defy the Constitution, the Congress and the will of the American people," she said in a statement.</p>

<p>The Senate would have to vote to override the veto as well, requiring more Republicans than the original 12 to sign on, which is unlikely to happen.</p>

<p>Trump was flanked by border officials and people whose relatives were killed by someone who was in the United States illegally. They praised the president for standing firm on the issue, which resonates strongly with his political base.</p>

<p>Researchers have said that immigrants are less likely to commit crimes, despite Trump repeatedly linking immigration and crime.</p>

<p>The president has said he wants a wall to prevent immigrants from crossing into the United States illegally. Democrats deny there is an emergency at the border, saying border crossings are at a four-decade low.</p>

<p>Trump thanked Republican senators who voted for his declaration in a Twitter post earlier on Friday. "Watch, when you get back to your State, they will LOVE you more than ever before!" he said.</p>

<p>Trump made a border wall a central promise of his 2016 campaign for the White House. He initially insisted that Mexico would pay for the wall but it has declined to do so. Last year, Trump forced a government shutdown over an impasse with Congress over funding for the barrier.</p>

<p>When a deal to prevent another shutdown did not give him the funding he requested, Trump declared a national emergency, redirecting funds that were allocated for other projects to build the barrier instead.</p>


President Donald Trump issued the first veto of his presidency on Friday to block a measure passed by Democrats and Republicans in Congress that would terminate his emergency declaration for a wall on the US border with Mexico.

President Donald Trump issued the first veto of his presidency on Friday to block a measure passed by Democrats and Republicans in Congress that would terminate his emergency declaration for a wall on the US border with Mexico. The veto, made necessary after a strong and unusual rebuke from members of Trump's Republican party, capped a week that left Trump politically wounded, at least temporarily, as immigration and his signature promise of a wall become a flashpoint again in the 2020 presidential campaign. Congress is unlikely to muster the votes to override Trump's veto, a fact that left White House officials confident despite disappointment that it passed the Republican-controlled Senate at all. The bipartisan vote on Thursday was a slap at Trump for his decision to circumvent Congress and take money already designated for other programs to pay for a barrier on the southern border. Twelve Republicans joined Democrats in the Senate to pass the measure, concerned that the president had overstepped his authority. Trump repeated his view that a crisis existed at the border, called the resolution reckless and said he was proud to veto it. "As president the protection of the nation is my highest duty. Yesterday, Congress passed a dangerous resolution that if signed into law would put countless Americans in danger, very grave danger," he said, sitting behind his desk in the Oval Office. "Congress has the freedom to pass this resolution, and I have the duty to veto it." The White House had lobbied heavily for Republicans to back Trump, despite concerns among some about executive overreach and precedent-setting action that a future Democratic president could copy on policies that Republicans oppose. The president, without acknowledging that lobbying, said he had sympathy for those who defied him, adding they did what they had to do. US Attorney General William Barr said the president's emergency declaration was legal. It is being challenged in court as an unconstitutional usurpation of Congress' power of the purse. Democratic Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi said her chamber would vote on March 26 to override the veto. “The House and Senate resoundingly rejected the president’s lawless power grab, yet the president has chosen to continue to defy the Constitution, the Congress and the will of the American people," she said in a statement. The Senate would have to vote to override the veto as well, requiring more Republicans than the original 12 to sign on, which is unlikely to happen. Trump was flanked by border officials and people whose relatives were killed by someone who was in the United States illegally. They praised the president for standing firm on the issue, which resonates strongly with his political base. Researchers have said that immigrants are less likely to commit crimes, despite Trump repeatedly linking immigration and crime. The president has said he wants a wall to prevent immigrants from crossing into the United States illegally. Democrats deny there is an emergency at the border, saying border crossings are at a four-decade low. Trump thanked Republican senators who voted for his declaration in a Twitter post earlier on Friday. "Watch, when you get back to your State, they will LOVE you more than ever before!" he said. Trump made a border wall a central promise of his 2016 campaign for the White House. He initially insisted that Mexico would pay for the wall but it has declined to do so. Last year, Trump forced a government shutdown over an impasse with Congress over funding for the barrier. When a deal to prevent another shutdown did not give him the funding he requested, Trump declared a national emergency, redirecting funds that were allocated for other projects to build the barrier instead.

Trump vetoes measure to end his emergency declaration on border wall

<p>President Donald Trump on Monday told Congress to slash funding for foreign aid and the State Department and increase spending for the military and the wall he wants to build on the US-Mexico border in his 2020 budget, the opening move in his next funding fight with Congress.</p>

<p>The Republican president's $4.7 trillion budget is expected to be rejected by Congress, where Democratic leaders on Sunday warned Trump against what they called a "repeat performance" of last year's funding war, which led to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/government-will-not-reopen-until-we-have-the-mexican-border-wall-trump-to-us-troops-186467">a five-week partial shutdown of the federal government</a>.</p>

<p>This year, the stakes are higher. The October 1 deadline for a funding deal to keep the government running coincides with the deadline to lift the debt limit. Without an increase in the limit, the US government would risk a default, which would shock the world economy.</p>

<p>Trump's budget asked for $8.6 billion to build a wall on the southern border with Mexico, more than six times what Congress gave him for border projects in each of the past two fiscal years, and 6 percent more than he has corralled by invoking emergency powers this year after he failed to get the money he wanted.</p>

<p>Trump called for defence spending to rise by 4 per cent to $750 billion, using the emergency Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) account - derided by conservatives as a slush fund - to skirt spending caps set out in a 2011 fiscal restraint law.</p>

<p>Non-defence spending was held below those caps, thanks to steep proposed funding cut to the State Department (23 per cent) and Environmental Protection Agency (31 per cent), among others. The White House also proposed reforms to mandatory spending programs such as food stamps to cut $22 billion.</p>

<p>Even with the cuts, which the White House said would add up to $2.7 trillion in savings over a decade, the budget office said budget would not balance until 2034, exceeding the traditional 10-year outlook.</p>

<p>Tax cuts have been a priority for the Republican White House and Congress in recent years, rather than deficit reduction. The deficit ran to $900 billion in 2019, and the national debt has ballooned to $22 trillion.</p>


President Donald Trump on Monday told Congress to slash funding for foreign aid and the State Department and increase spending for the military and the wall he wants to build on the US-Mexico border in his 2020 budget, the opening move in his next funding fight with Congress.

President Donald Trump on Monday told Congress to slash funding for foreign aid and the State Department and increase spending for the military and the wall he wants to build on the US-Mexico border in his 2020 budget, the opening move in his next funding fight with Congress. The Republican president's $4.7 trillion budget is expected to be rejected by Congress, where Democratic leaders on Sunday warned Trump against what they called a "repeat performance" of last year's funding war, which led to a five-week partial shutdown of the federal government. This year, the stakes are higher. The October 1 deadline for a funding deal to keep the government running coincides with the deadline to lift the debt limit. Without an increase in the limit, the US government would risk a default, which would shock the world economy. Trump's budget asked for $8.6 billion to build a wall on the southern border with Mexico, more than six times what Congress gave him for border projects in each of the past two fiscal years, and 6 percent more than he has corralled by invoking emergency powers this year after he failed to get the money he wanted. Trump called for defence spending to rise by 4 per cent to $750 billion, using the emergency Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) account - derided by conservatives as a slush fund - to skirt spending caps set out in a 2011 fiscal restraint law. Non-defence spending was held below those caps, thanks to steep proposed funding cut to the State Department (23 per cent) and Environmental Protection Agency (31 per cent), among others. The White House also proposed reforms to mandatory spending programs such as food stamps to cut $22 billion. Even with the cuts, which the White House said would add up to $2.7 trillion in savings over a decade, the budget office said budget would not balance until 2034, exceeding the traditional 10-year outlook. Tax cuts have been a priority for the Republican White House and Congress in recent years, rather than deficit reduction. The deficit ran to $900 billion in 2019, and the national debt has ballooned to $22 trillion.

Slash foreign aid and increase funding for Mexico wall, military: Trump to Congress

<p>House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday called upon lawmakers to back a resolution to halt the national emergency declared by US President Donald Trump to fund a wall on the southern border with Mexico.</p>

<p>Trump announced the emergency in order to bypass Congress, which approved only a quarter of the $5.6 billion he wanted for the wall in a spending bill.</p>

<p>Sixteen states earlier this week sued over the declaration, but the Trump administration has continued with plans to pull together around a further $6.6 billion in federal funding, mostly from the Department of Defense.</p>

<p>Texas congressman Joaquin Castro had last week vowed to introduce a resolution to terminate the president's move.</p>

<p>Lawmakers have until 3:00 pm (2000 GMT) on Thursday to co-sponsor it, before it is formally introduced on Friday.</p>

<p>"I write to invite all Members of Congress to cosponsor Congressman Joaquin Castro's privileged resolution," Pelosi said in a letter to Democrats and Republicans late Wednesday."</p>

<p>"The President's decision to go outside the bounds of the law to try to get what he failed to achieve in the constitutional legislative process violates the Constitution and must be terminated," she said.</p>

<p>"We have a solemn responsibility to uphold the Constitution, and defend our system of checks and balances against the President's assault.</p>

<p>Democrats were quick to express their support.</p>

<p>"I'm a YES to overturn the declaration," Democratic Senator Brian Schatz tweeted.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, House Democrat Linda Sanchez, of California, said she was "proud" to support Castro's resolution.</p>


House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday called upon lawmakers to back a resolution to halt the national emergency declared by US President Donald Trump to fund a wall on the southern border with Mexico.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday called upon lawmakers to back a resolution to halt the national emergency declared by US President Donald Trump to fund a wall on the southern border with Mexico. Trump announced the emergency in order to bypass Congress, which approved only a quarter of the $5.6 billion he wanted for the wall in a spending bill. Sixteen states earlier this week sued over the declaration, but the Trump administration has continued with plans to pull together around a further $6.6 billion in federal funding, mostly from the Department of Defense. Texas congressman Joaquin Castro had last week vowed to introduce a resolution to terminate the president's move. Lawmakers have until 3:00 pm (2000 GMT) on Thursday to co-sponsor it, before it is formally introduced on Friday. "I write to invite all Members of Congress to cosponsor Congressman Joaquin Castro's privileged resolution," Pelosi said in a letter to Democrats and Republicans late Wednesday." "The President's decision to go outside the bounds of the law to try to get what he failed to achieve in the constitutional legislative process violates the Constitution and must be terminated," she said. "We have a solemn responsibility to uphold the Constitution, and defend our system of checks and balances against the President's assault. Democrats were quick to express their support. "I'm a YES to overturn the declaration," Democratic Senator Brian Schatz tweeted. Meanwhile, House Democrat Linda Sanchez, of California, said she was "proud" to support Castro's resolution.

Pelosi on warpath with Trump again, calls for support to halt US president's 'emergency'

<p>A top adviser to Donald Trump said Sunday that the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trump-declares-national-emergency-to-signs-border-wall-deal-197774">president's emergency declaration</a> could allow "hundreds of miles" of barriers to be built on the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/no-decision-made-on-spending-for-trumps-wall-pentagon-chief-197844">Mexican border </a>before the 2020 election.</p>

<p>"You're looking at hundreds of miles," Stephen Miller said on Fox News Sunday, "probably a couple hundred miles" by September 2020, two months before the election.</p>

<p>Trump has made clear he plans to exploit the issue in his re-election campaign, even amid sharp criticism from Democrats, rights groups, border-state landowners — and several prominent Republicans.</p>

<p>The president on Friday invoked a "national emergency" to justify tapping military and other funds for barrier construction, after Congress approved less than a fourth the $5.7 billion he had sought for border security.</p>

<p>Miller, echoing Trump's arguments, said that an unsecured border allowed drugs and criminals to pour into the country. He dismissed government statistics showing illegal entries had fallen.</p>

<p>"You cannot have uncontrolled, unsecured areas of the border where people can pour in undetected," he said.</p>

<p>But asked to cite an example of a past president invoking an emergency after being denied funds by Congress, Miller could not do so. "If people don't like that, they can address it," he said.</p>

<p><strong>An 'imminent' challenge</strong></p>

<p>Given the near-certainty of legal challenges and of a possible blocking move in Congress, it is far from clear how quickly barrier construction can advance on the 1,950-mile (3,140-kilometer) border.</p>

<p>Xavier Becerra, the attorney general of California, told ABC his state would be filing a lawsuit against the project "definitely, and imminently."</p>

<p>He said California and other states had legal standing in the case because they risked losing moneys intended for military projects, disaster assistance and other purposes. Several states "will be harmed," he said.</p>

<p>Another Democrat, Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, said she thought Congress could pass a resolution to block Trump's action but might not be able to summon the votes to override a likely Trump veto.</p>

<p>Miller stopped just short of predicting a Trump veto, saying simply, "He will protect his national emergency declaration -- guaranteed."</p>

<p>Several Republican senators have decried the emergency declaration, saying it establishes a dangerous precedent and amounts to executive overreach. How they might vote on a resolution is unclear.</p>

<p>But one well-known Republican, former Massachusetts governor William Weld, is even entertaining a 2020 primary challenge to the president.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While his chances would appear slim, he argued Sunday on ABC that Americans cannot afford six more years of a president who "wants to divide the country" and is "reckless" in running up trillion-dollar deficits.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said the emergency declaration was an example of Trump trying to "make himself seem indispensable," then added, "He's not indispensable at all."</p>


A top adviser to Donald Trump said Sunday that the president's emergency declaration could allow "hundreds of miles" of barriers to be built on the Mexican border before the 2020 election.

A top adviser to Donald Trump said Sunday that the president's emergency declaration could allow "hundreds of miles" of barriers to be built on the Mexican border before the 2020 election. "You're looking at hundreds of miles," Stephen Miller said on Fox News Sunday, "probably a couple hundred miles" by September 2020, two months before the election. Trump has made clear he plans to exploit the issue in his re-election campaign, even amid sharp criticism from Democrats, rights groups, border-state landowners — and several prominent Republicans. The president on Friday invoked a "national emergency" to justify tapping military and other funds for barrier construction, after Congress approved less than a fourth the $5.7 billion he had sought for border security. Miller, echoing Trump's arguments, said that an unsecured border allowed drugs and criminals to pour into the country. He dismissed government statistics showing illegal entries had fallen. "You cannot have uncontrolled, unsecured areas of the border where people can pour in undetected," he said. But asked to cite an example of a past president invoking an emergency after being denied funds by Congress, Miller could not do so. "If people don't like that, they can address it," he said. An 'imminent' challenge Given the near-certainty of legal challenges and of a possible blocking move in Congress, it is far from clear how quickly barrier construction can advance on the 1,950-mile (3,140-kilometer) border. Xavier Becerra, the attorney general of California, told ABC his state would be filing a lawsuit against the project "definitely, and imminently." He said California and other states had legal standing in the case because they risked losing moneys intended for military projects, disaster assistance and other purposes. Several states "will be harmed," he said. Another Democrat, Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, said she thought Congress could pass a resolution to block Trump's action but might not be able to summon the votes to override a likely Trump veto. Miller stopped just short of predicting a Trump veto, saying simply, "He will protect his national emergency declaration -- guaranteed." Several Republican senators have decried the emergency declaration, saying it establishes a dangerous precedent and amounts to executive overreach. How they might vote on a resolution is unclear. But one well-known Republican, former Massachusetts governor William Weld, is even entertaining a 2020 primary challenge to the president. While his chances would appear slim, he argued Sunday on ABC that Americans cannot afford six more years of a president who "wants to divide the country" and is "reckless" in running up trillion-dollar deficits. He said the emergency declaration was an example of Trump trying to "make himself seem indispensable," then added, "He's not indispensable at all."

Trump aide Stephen Miller predicts 'hundreds of miles' of border wall before 2020 election

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/saudi-arabia-signs-deals-to-invest-20-billion-in-pakistan-197974">In </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/saudi-arabia-signs-deals-to-invest-20-billion-in-pakistan-197974">relief</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/saudi-arabia-signs-deals-to-invest-20-billion-in-pakistan-197974"> for its economy, Saudi Arabia to invest $20 billion in Pakistan</a></p>

<p>Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Sunday signed a slew of investment agreements worth $20 billion which will provide welcome relief to the teetering economy of the cash-strapped South Asian country.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-encounter-between-security-forces-and-terrorists-197988">J&amp;K:&nbsp;Encounter breaks out in Pulwama, 4 jawans injured</a></p>

<p>A gun battle has broken out between security forces and terrorists in the Pinglan area of Pulwama. The news agency ANI reported that two to three terrorists are trapped in the area.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-aide-predicts-hundreds-of-miles-of-border-wall-by-2020-197976">Trump aide Stephen Miller predicts 'hundreds of miles' of border wall by 2020</a></p>

<p>A top adviser to Donald Trump said Sunday that the&nbsp;president's emergency declaration&nbsp;could allow "hundreds of miles" of barriers to be built on the&nbsp;Mexican border&nbsp;before the 2020 election.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/west-indies-chris-gayle-announces-retirement-from-odi-cricket-197975">West Indies' Chris Gayle to retire from ODIs after 2019 World Cup</a></p>

<p>West Indies batsman Chris Gayle announced his retirement from One-Day International (ODI) cricket after this summer’s ICC World Cup, scheduled to begin from May 30.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/california-tells-trump-that-lawsuit-over-border-wall-is-imminent-197985">California tells Trump lawsuit over border wall is 'imminent'</a></p>

<p>California will "imminently" challenge President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency to obtain funds for&nbsp;a US-Mexico border wall, state Attorney General Xavier Becerra said on Sunday.</p>


In relief for its economy, Saudi Arabia to invest $20 billion in Pakistan Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Sunday signed a slew of investment agreements worth $20 billion which will provide welcome relief to the teetering economy of the cash-strapped South Asian country.

In relief for its economy, Saudi Arabia to invest $20 billion in Pakistan Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Sunday signed a slew of investment agreements worth $20 billion which will provide welcome relief to the teetering economy of the cash-strapped South Asian country. J&K: Encounter breaks out in Pulwama, 4 jawans injured A gun battle has broken out between security forces and terrorists in the Pinglan area of Pulwama. The news agency ANI reported that two to three terrorists are trapped in the area. Trump aide Stephen Miller predicts 'hundreds of miles' of border wall by 2020 A top adviser to Donald Trump said Sunday that the president's emergency declaration could allow "hundreds of miles" of barriers to be built on the Mexican border before the 2020 election. West Indies' Chris Gayle to retire from ODIs after 2019 World Cup West Indies batsman Chris Gayle announced his retirement from One-Day International (ODI) cricket after this summer’s ICC World Cup, scheduled to begin from May 30. California tells Trump lawsuit over border wall is 'imminent' California will "imminently" challenge President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency to obtain funds for a US-Mexico border wall, state Attorney General Xavier Becerra said on Sunday.

News brief: Big stories of the day

<p><strong>By Chris Edelson</strong></p>

<p>President Donald Trump declared a national emergency to pay for the construction of a wall along the US-Mexico border, after Congress, in its new spending bill, denied him the full money to build it.</p>

<p>“We’re talking about an invasion of our country with drugs, with human traffickers, with all types of criminals and gangs,” Trump said in a speech on February 15 before signing the declaration.</p>

<p>Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi warned Trump against declaring a national emergency, saying that it set a precedent for future Democratic presidents to use that power. A number of liberal organizations have threatened to file challenges in court on the grounds that Trump’s move is an abuse of power.</p>

<p>But will the courts step in? What is Congress’s role in this situation?</p>

<p>As I explain in my book “Emergency Presidential Power,” presidents generally claim emergency power two ways: through inherent or implied authority under the US Constitution or under statutory authority granted by Congress.</p>

<p>Relying on the Constitution as a basis for emergency power is controversial, and less likely to stand up to meaningful congressional or judicial review. The US Constitution says nothing specific about presidential emergency power: Presidents can only claim such authority is implied or inherent.</p>

<p>The emergency powers the Constitution does describe are actually assigned to Congress. Congress has delegated some emergency powers to the president through statutes, including the National Emergencies Act. But Congress retains the power to reject a president’s declaration of a national emergency.</p>

<p>Now the question is: Will Congress use the power available to it, or will it play the role of passive spectator?</p>

<p><strong>Gaining congressional approval</strong></p>

<p>Since presidents lack any specific constitutional emergency power, they often find it necessary to gain congressional authorization. For instance, at the start of the Civil War, with Congress out of session, President Abraham Lincoln suspended habeas corpus and took other unilateral actions. He later sought and gained retroactive approval from Congress for these actions.</p>

<p>This precedent of gaining congressional approval was put to the test nearly 100 years later. In 1952, President Harry Truman claimed emergency power to take control of steel factories during the Korean War in response to a labor strike. He invoked a “very great inherent power to meet great national emergencies.” Congress took no specific action to approve or disapprove, though a preexisting statute on the books weighed against Truman.</p>

<p>When factory owners sued the administration, the Supreme Court, by a 6-3 vote, ruled against Truman in the famous Youngstown Sheet decision. Justice Robert H. Jackson’s concurring opinion, in that case, has been especially influential and is often cited by legal scholars and judges. He outlined a three-part test to be used as a starting point in determining when presidential action is constitutionally permissible.</p>

<p>Under Jackson’s test, presidents are on the strongest possible footing when acting with congressional approval. In this case, Jackson said, Truman’s position was weak since he was taking action that did not comply with the relevant legislative framework. In Jackson’s view, Truman’s reliance on inherent emergency power under the Constitution would dangerously concentrate power in the president’s hands, something the framers would not have wanted.</p>

<p><strong>Congress’s role</strong></p>

<p>Jackson’s opinion in Youngstown suggested that emergency power could be defined by Congress in statutes.</p>

<p>Congress took up that suggestion with the National Emergencies Act of 1976. Though the act was designed to set limits on presidential power to declare national emergencies of indefinite length, it has ended up providing a largely unregulated way for presidents to take unilateral action. Congress has failed to fulfill its responsibilities under the law.</p>

<p>The National Emergencies Act permits the president to declare a national emergency without congressional approval, triggering specific statutory powers that the president can use. For instance, presidents have used this law to impose economic sanctions against terrorists after 9/11 or regulate foreign ships in US waters. Thirty-one emergency declarations are currently in effect under the statute.</p>

<p>Congress can vote at any time to terminate a state of emergency, and is required by the statute to meet every six months while an emergency is in effect to consider whether it should continue. However, it has never voted on an emergency declared by a president or held meetings as required by the statute.</p>

<p>Perhaps most importantly for Trump, the National Emergencies Act provides no criteria for deciding whether a national emergency exists. We know from history that presidents can contrive emergencies as a pretext for action.</p>

<p>For example, in 1846 President James Polk falsely claimed that Mexico had spilled American blood on US soil as a pretext for gaining a declaration of war from Congress.</p>

<p>In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt justified the decision to intern 110,000 Japanese-Americans without trial based on false claims that time was of the essence, and at least some Japanese-Americans were known to be disloyal.</p>

<p>Although both of these examples pre-date the 1976 Act, they serve as cautionary tales about the wisdom of accepting at face value a president’s claim that an emergency exists. However, because the law now in effect provides no specific standards to define the existence of an emergency, courts might be inclined to defer to presidential discretion. It is far from clear that courts will strike down Trump’s national emergency.</p>

<p>By contrast, it would be straightforward for Congress to reverse a declaration of national emergency. The National Emergencies Act gives legislators authority to reject a presidential declaration of national emergency through simple legislation that would require majorities in the House and Senate. President Trump would presumably veto such action. Legislators would have the opportunity to override a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority vote.</p>

<p>That, of course, would be no easy task in the current Congress.</p>

<p>Because of the way the National Emergencies Act was drafted, Congress is better positioned to take action than the courts – assuming enough members are moved to act. If Congress does nothing, then the law could become a vehicle for presidential abuse, especially because the act’s language seems to grant the president broad discretion that could insulate an emergency declaration from legal challenge.</p>

<p>All eyes should be on Congress.</p>

<p>(<em>Chris Edelson is</em>&nbsp;<em>Assistant Professor of Government, American University School of Public Affairs.)</em></p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)</em></p>


By Chris Edelson President Donald Trump declared a national emergency to pay for the construction of a wall along the US-Mexico border, after Congress, in its new spending bill, denied him the full money to build it.

By Chris Edelson President Donald Trump declared a national emergency to pay for the construction of a wall along the US-Mexico border, after Congress, in its new spending bill, denied him the full money to build it. “We’re talking about an invasion of our country with drugs, with human traffickers, with all types of criminals and gangs,” Trump said in a speech on February 15 before signing the declaration. Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi warned Trump against declaring a national emergency, saying that it set a precedent for future Democratic presidents to use that power. A number of liberal organizations have threatened to file challenges in court on the grounds that Trump’s move is an abuse of power. But will the courts step in? What is Congress’s role in this situation? As I explain in my book “Emergency Presidential Power,” presidents generally claim emergency power two ways: through inherent or implied authority under the US Constitution or under statutory authority granted by Congress. Relying on the Constitution as a basis for emergency power is controversial, and less likely to stand up to meaningful congressional or judicial review. The US Constitution says nothing specific about presidential emergency power: Presidents can only claim such authority is implied or inherent. The emergency powers the Constitution does describe are actually assigned to Congress. Congress has delegated some emergency powers to the president through statutes, including the National Emergencies Act. But Congress retains the power to reject a president’s declaration of a national emergency. Now the question is: Will Congress use the power available to it, or will it play the role of passive spectator? Gaining congressional approval Since presidents lack any specific constitutional emergency power, they often find it necessary to gain congressional authorization. For instance, at the start of the Civil War, with Congress out of session, President Abraham Lincoln suspended habeas corpus and took other unilateral actions. He later sought and gained retroactive approval from Congress for these actions. This precedent of gaining congressional approval was put to the test nearly 100 years later. In 1952, President Harry Truman claimed emergency power to take control of steel factories during the Korean War in response to a labor strike. He invoked a “very great inherent power to meet great national emergencies.” Congress took no specific action to approve or disapprove, though a preexisting statute on the books weighed against Truman. When factory owners sued the administration, the Supreme Court, by a 6-3 vote, ruled against Truman in the famous Youngstown Sheet decision. Justice Robert H. Jackson’s concurring opinion, in that case, has been especially influential and is often cited by legal scholars and judges. He outlined a three-part test to be used as a starting point in determining when presidential action is constitutionally permissible. Under Jackson’s test, presidents are on the strongest possible footing when acting with congressional approval. In this case, Jackson said, Truman’s position was weak since he was taking action that did not comply with the relevant legislative framework. In Jackson’s view, Truman’s reliance on inherent emergency power under the Constitution would dangerously concentrate power in the president’s hands, something the framers would not have wanted. Congress’s role Jackson’s opinion in Youngstown suggested that emergency power could be defined by Congress in statutes. Congress took up that suggestion with the National Emergencies Act of 1976. Though the act was designed to set limits on presidential power to declare national emergencies of indefinite length, it has ended up providing a largely unregulated way for presidents to take unilateral action. Congress has failed to fulfill its responsibilities under the law. The National Emergencies Act permits the president to declare a national emergency without congressional approval, triggering specific statutory powers that the president can use. For instance, presidents have used this law to impose economic sanctions against terrorists after 9/11 or regulate foreign ships in US waters. Thirty-one emergency declarations are currently in effect under the statute. Congress can vote at any time to terminate a state of emergency, and is required by the statute to meet every six months while an emergency is in effect to consider whether it should continue. However, it has never voted on an emergency declared by a president or held meetings as required by the statute. Perhaps most importantly for Trump, the National Emergencies Act provides no criteria for deciding whether a national emergency exists. We know from history that presidents can contrive emergencies as a pretext for action. For example, in 1846 President James Polk falsely claimed that Mexico had spilled American blood on US soil as a pretext for gaining a declaration of war from Congress. In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt justified the decision to intern 110,000 Japanese-Americans without trial based on false claims that time was of the essence, and at least some Japanese-Americans were known to be disloyal. Although both of these examples pre-date the 1976 Act, they serve as cautionary tales about the wisdom of accepting at face value a president’s claim that an emergency exists. However, because the law now in effect provides no specific standards to define the existence of an emergency, courts might be inclined to defer to presidential discretion. It is far from clear that courts will strike down Trump’s national emergency. By contrast, it would be straightforward for Congress to reverse a declaration of national emergency. The National Emergencies Act gives legislators authority to reject a presidential declaration of national emergency through simple legislation that would require majorities in the House and Senate. President Trump would presumably veto such action. Legislators would have the opportunity to override a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority vote. That, of course, would be no easy task in the current Congress. Because of the way the National Emergencies Act was drafted, Congress is better positioned to take action than the courts – assuming enough members are moved to act. If Congress does nothing, then the law could become a vehicle for presidential abuse, especially because the act’s language seems to grant the president broad discretion that could insulate an emergency declaration from legal challenge. All eyes should be on Congress. (Chris Edelson is Assistant Professor of Government, American University School of Public Affairs.) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Can Congress or the courts reverse Trump’s national emergency?

<p>President Trump's frustration over his campaign to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-climbs-down-in-wall-row-congress-passes-bill-ending-shutdown-192824">fence off the US-Mexican border</a> spilled into linguistic territory on Thursday when the president declared himself fed up with people dancing around what to call his dreamed-of barrier.</p>

<p>"Let's just call them WALLS from now on and stop playing political games! A WALL is a WALL!" Trump tweeted.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Lets just call them WALLS from now on and stop playing political games! A WALL is a WALL!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1090947003868213248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>In other tweets, he signalled that he's<a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/why-trumps-wall-rhetoric-is-about-power-rather-than-policy-193589"> in no mood to compromise</a>. "The Wall is getting done one way or the other!" he vowed.</p>

<p>He also said: "More troops being sent to the Southern Border to stop the attempted Invasion of Illegals.... With a Wall it would be soooo much easier and less expensive. Being Built!"</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">More troops being sent to the Southern Border to stop the attempted Invasion of Illegals, through large Caravans, into our Country. We have stopped the previous Caravans, and we will stop these also. With a Wall it would be soooo much easier and less expensive. Being Built!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1090986128805687296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Very sadly, Murder cases in Mexico in 2018 rose 33% from 2017, to 33,341. This is a big contributor to the Humanitarian Crises taking place on our Southern Border and then spreading throughout our Country. Worse even than Afghanistan. Much caused by DRUGS. Wall is being built!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1090949309217075201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The saga of Trump's troubled plan to boost defences along the Mexican border has seen politicians and the president manoeuvre repeatedly in search of the right terminology.</p>

<p>Originally, Trump revelled in the word "wall," leading chants at rallies of "build the wall!"</p>

<p>But as Democrats in Congress pushed back, accusing Trump of demonizing immigrants and promoting "medieval" wall technology, he tried to soften the message, referring to "a barrier."</p>

<p>Also, instead of a solid concrete structure, Trump began to emphasize that he was really asking for steel slats. "Artistically designed steel slats," he specified in December.</p>

<p>Despite the word games, Democrats remained steadfast in declining to back the president's signature project. This led to a standoff in which Trump refused to fully fund the government, shutting down swaths of federal jobs for five weeks.</p>

<p>Democrats and Republicans in Congress are now trying to come up with a border security compromise.&nbsp;</p>

<p>If they don't agree before a February 15 deadline, Trump says he'll impose another shutdown or bypass Congress by seeking emergency funds.</p>

<p>Yet another Trump tweet Thursday indicated that he might not be expecting Congress to deliver the goods on "the DESPERATELY needed WALL."</p>

<p>"I don't expect much help!" he said.</p>

<p>In an interview Wednesday with right-leaning website The Daily Caller, Trump made clear that declaring a national emergency at the border is very much on the cards.</p>

<p>"We declare a national emergency if this doesn’t work out," he said.</p>

<p>Democrats have said they would likely seek a court injunction to halt the use of emergency funds at the border, arguing that Trump has exaggerated the seriousness of the situation and that there is no emergency.</p>


President Trump's frustration over his campaign to fence off the US-Mexican border spilled into linguistic territory on Thursday when the president declared himself fed up with people dancing around what to call his dreamed-of barrier.

President Trump's frustration over his campaign to fence off the US-Mexican border spilled into linguistic territory on Thursday when the president declared himself fed up with people dancing around what to call his dreamed-of barrier. "Let's just call them WALLS from now on and stop playing political games! A WALL is a WALL!" Trump tweeted. Lets just call them WALLS from now on and stop playing political games! A WALL is a WALL! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 31, 2019 × In other tweets, he signalled that he's in no mood to compromise. "The Wall is getting done one way or the other!" he vowed. He also said: "More troops being sent to the Southern Border to stop the attempted Invasion of Illegals.... With a Wall it would be soooo much easier and less expensive. Being Built!" More troops being sent to the Southern Border to stop the attempted Invasion of Illegals, through large Caravans, into our Country. We have stopped the previous Caravans, and we will stop these also. With a Wall it would be soooo much easier and less expensive. Being Built! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 31, 2019 × Very sadly, Murder cases in Mexico in 2018 rose 33% from 2017, to 33,341. This is a big contributor to the Humanitarian Crises taking place on our Southern Border and then spreading throughout our Country. Worse even than Afghanistan. Much caused by DRUGS. Wall is being built! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 31, 2019 × The saga of Trump's troubled plan to boost defences along the Mexican border has seen politicians and the president manoeuvre repeatedly in search of the right terminology. Originally, Trump revelled in the word "wall," leading chants at rallies of "build the wall!" But as Democrats in Congress pushed back, accusing Trump of demonizing immigrants and promoting "medieval" wall technology, he tried to soften the message, referring to "a barrier." Also, instead of a solid concrete structure, Trump began to emphasize that he was really asking for steel slats. "Artistically designed steel slats," he specified in December. Despite the word games, Democrats remained steadfast in declining to back the president's signature project. This led to a standoff in which Trump refused to fully fund the government, shutting down swaths of federal jobs for five weeks. Democrats and Republicans in Congress are now trying to come up with a border security compromise. If they don't agree before a February 15 deadline, Trump says he'll impose another shutdown or bypass Congress by seeking emergency funds. Yet another Trump tweet Thursday indicated that he might not be expecting Congress to deliver the goods on "the DESPERATELY needed WALL." "I don't expect much help!" he said. In an interview Wednesday with right-leaning website The Daily Caller, Trump made clear that declaring a national emergency at the border is very much on the cards. "We declare a national emergency if this doesn’t work out," he said. Democrats have said they would likely seek a court injunction to halt the use of emergency funds at the border, arguing that Trump has exaggerated the seriousness of the situation and that there is no emergency.

More troops being sent to the border to stop attempted invasion of illegals in large caravans: Trump

<p>As the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-govt-shutdown-enters-2nd-month-tuesday-no-quick-end-in-sight-yet-191897"> US government shutdown entered</a> its second month, President Trump in a series of tweets defended his decision on the Mexican border wall while blaming the Democrats of "playing politics".</p>

<p>President <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-shutdown-could-stunt-economic-growth-new-york-federal-reserve-chief-191315">Trump has been overseeing the</a> partial shutdown of key US government departments which began on December 22nd over funding for a wall to block illegal immigration at the border with Mexico.</p>

<p>"Without a wall our country can never have border or national security. With a powerful wall or steel barrier, crime rates (and drugs) will go substantially down all over the US," the president said, adding,"The Dems know this but want to play political games. Must finally be done correctly."</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Without a Wall our Country can never have Border or National Security. With a powerful Wall or Steel Barrier, Crime Rates (and Drugs) will go substantially down all over the U.S. The Dems know this but want to play political games. Must finally be done correctly. No Cave!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1087693453394432001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Trump has been demanding $5.7 billion from Democrats in the House of Representatives led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi to build the Mexican border wall, however, the Democrats haven't agreed to the deal instead have agreed to just over $1 billion deal which includes several border security measures.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A number of departments have been hit as a result of the shutdown including the crucial homeland security, transport and the State Department.</p>

<p>The president has stood firm in the past month demanding the full amount from the Democrats leading to a standoff, in a tweet Trump said: "If we create a wall or barrier which prevents criminals and drugs from flowing into our Country, crime will go down by record numbers!"</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Never seen <a href="https://twitter.com/senatemajldr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@senatemajldr</a> and Republicans so united on an issue as they are on the Humanitarian Crisis &amp; Security on our Southern Border. If we create a Wall or Barrier which prevents Criminals and Drugs from flowing into our Country, Crime will go down by record numbers!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1087723755898658816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>About 800,000 workers have been furloughed or working without pay even as several national parks, museums and some airport security checkpoints have been closed.</p>

<p>In a tweet on Monday, Admiral Karl Schultz said: "Our USCG members sail across the world to protect US national interests while their loved ones cope with financial challenges &amp; no pay at home."</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Today, the 418-foot <a href="https://twitter.com/USCG?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USCG</a> Cutter Bertholf departed for a multi-month deployment in support of a <a href="https://twitter.com/DeptofDefense?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DeptofDefense</a> Combatant Commander. Our <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USCG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USCG</a> members sail across the world to protect U.S. national interests while their loved ones cope w/ financial challenges &amp; no pay at home. <a href="https://t.co/GtSo1GTUnp">pic.twitter.com/GtSo1GTUnp</a></p>
— Admiral Karl Schultz (@ComdtUSCG) <a href="https://twitter.com/ComdtUSCG/status/1087190396663447553?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>As the logjam continued, The New York Times reported that Democrats had added more than $1 billion to their previous offer of $1.3 billion for new border security, even if that is still far short of Trump's $5.7 billion figure.&nbsp;</p>


As the US government shutdown entered its second month, President Trump in a series of tweets defended his decision on the Mexican border wall while blaming the Democrats of "playing politics".

As the US government shutdown entered its second month, President Trump in a series of tweets defended his decision on the Mexican border wall while blaming the Democrats of "playing politics". President Trump has been overseeing the partial shutdown of key US government departments which began on December 22nd over funding for a wall to block illegal immigration at the border with Mexico. "Without a wall our country can never have border or national security. With a powerful wall or steel barrier, crime rates (and drugs) will go substantially down all over the US," the president said, adding,"The Dems know this but want to play political games. Must finally be done correctly." Without a Wall our Country can never have Border or National Security. With a powerful Wall or Steel Barrier, Crime Rates (and Drugs) will go substantially down all over the U.S. The Dems know this but want to play political games. Must finally be done correctly. No Cave! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2019 × Trump has been demanding $5.7 billion from Democrats in the House of Representatives led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi to build the Mexican border wall, however, the Democrats haven't agreed to the deal instead have agreed to just over $1 billion deal which includes several border security measures. A number of departments have been hit as a result of the shutdown including the crucial homeland security, transport and the State Department. The president has stood firm in the past month demanding the full amount from the Democrats leading to a standoff, in a tweet Trump said: "If we create a wall or barrier which prevents criminals and drugs from flowing into our Country, crime will go down by record numbers!" Never seen @senatemajldr and Republicans so united on an issue as they are on the Humanitarian Crisis & Security on our Southern Border. If we create a Wall or Barrier which prevents Criminals and Drugs from flowing into our Country, Crime will go down by record numbers! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2019 × About 800,000 workers have been furloughed or working without pay even as several national parks, museums and some airport security checkpoints have been closed. In a tweet on Monday, Admiral Karl Schultz said: "Our USCG members sail across the world to protect US national interests while their loved ones cope with financial challenges & no pay at home." Today, the 418-foot @USCG Cutter Bertholf departed for a multi-month deployment in support of a @DeptofDefense Combatant Commander. Our #USCG members sail across the world to protect U.S. national interests while their loved ones cope w/ financial challenges & no pay at home. pic.twitter.com/GtSo1GTUnp — Admiral Karl Schultz (@ComdtUSCG) January 21, 2019 × As the logjam continued, The New York Times reported that Democrats had added more than $1 billion to their previous offer of $1.3 billion for new border security, even if that is still far short of Trump's $5.7 billion figure.

Without a wall our country can never have national security, says Trump as government shutdown enters second month

<p>US President Donald Trump laid out a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/top-republicans-oppose-border-emergency-as-shutdown-drags-on-190088">White House feast fit for a government </a>shutdown with silver platters heaped high with McDonald's quarter pounders and the red-and-white burger wrappers of Wendy's.</p>

<p>White House chefs normally would <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-shutdown-sends-economy-into-uncharted-waters-189942">serve much fancier fare underneath</a> the stern gaze of the portrait of Abraham Lincoln in the State Dining Room. But they are furloughed, staying home without paychecks as Trump fights with Congress over funding the federal government.</p>

<p>The White House said Trump himself sprang for what he pronounced to be "great American food" for the visiting Clemson Tigers, winners of the US&nbsp;college football championship.</p>

<p>"We have pizzas, we have 300 hamburgers, many, many french fries, all of our favourite foods," Trump told reporters, as one White House worker still on the job lit tapered candles.</p>

<p>"I want to see what's here when we leave, because I don't think it's going to be much," Trump said, before the players, dressed in dapper suits, flooded the room and piled their plates high.</p>

<p>About a quarter of the federal government has been shut down for the past 24 days after Trump dug in on a campaign pledge to build a wall on the southern border with Mexico, demanding $5.7 billion from Congress for the project. Democrats have rejected his demand.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"So I had a choice. Do we have no food for you because we have a shutdown or do we give you some little quick salads that the first lady will make along with the second lady....they'll make some salads and I said you guys aren't into salads or do I go out, Lindsay Graham, Tim Scott (Senators from South Carolina) or do I send out for 1000 hamburgers," he said, adding, "Big Macs. So we actually did. Burger King, Wendy's and McDonalds, all American companies."</p>


US President Donald Trump laid out a White House feast fit for a government shutdown with silver platters heaped high with McDonald's quarter pounders and the red-and-white burger wrappers of Wendy's.

US President Donald Trump laid out a White House feast fit for a government shutdown with silver platters heaped high with McDonald's quarter pounders and the red-and-white burger wrappers of Wendy's. White House chefs normally would serve much fancier fare underneath the stern gaze of the portrait of Abraham Lincoln in the State Dining Room. But they are furloughed, staying home without paychecks as Trump fights with Congress over funding the federal government. The White House said Trump himself sprang for what he pronounced to be "great American food" for the visiting Clemson Tigers, winners of the US college football championship. "We have pizzas, we have 300 hamburgers, many, many french fries, all of our favourite foods," Trump told reporters, as one White House worker still on the job lit tapered candles. "I want to see what's here when we leave, because I don't think it's going to be much," Trump said, before the players, dressed in dapper suits, flooded the room and piled their plates high. About a quarter of the federal government has been shut down for the past 24 days after Trump dug in on a campaign pledge to build a wall on the southern border with Mexico, demanding $5.7 billion from Congress for the project. Democrats have rejected his demand. "So I had a choice. Do we have no food for you because we have a shutdown or do we give you some little quick salads that the first lady will make along with the second lady....they'll make some salads and I said you guys aren't into salads or do I go out, Lindsay Graham, Tim Scott (Senators from South Carolina) or do I send out for 1000 hamburgers," he said, adding, "Big Macs. So we actually did. Burger King, Wendy's and McDonalds, all American companies."

Watch: As shutdown bites, Trump invites guests to feast on burgers, pizzas & french fries

<p>The United States is extending until <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-threatens-to-entirely-close-us-mexico-border-unless-wall-demands-met-187046">September 30 the deployment of </a>active duty soldiers and Coast Guard members at the border with Mexico, officials said Monday.</p>

<p>As part of the move to extend the mission <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/military-will-build-mexico-border-wall-if-democrats-refuse-trump-183450">past the original January 31 deadline</a>, the Pentagon said it was "transitioning its support at the southwestern border from hardening ports of entry to mobile surveillance and detection, as well as concertina wire emplacement between ports of entry."</p>

<p>"DoD will continue to provide aviation support," the statement added, referring to the Department of Defense.</p>

<p>Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan approved the extension in response to a request from the Homeland Security Department, the Pentagon said in a statement. There are about 2,350 troops assigned to the border mission.</p>

<p>The impasse has paralysed Washington - its impact felt increasingly around the country - with the president refusing to sign off on budgets for swaths of government departments unrelated to the dispute.</p>

<p>As a result, 800,000 federal employees - including FBI agents, air traffic controllers and museum staff - received no paychecks on Friday.</p>

<p>Both Democrats and Republicans agree that the US-Mexican border presents challenges, but Trump has turned his single-minded push for more walls into a crusade.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He tweeted Sunday that "The building of the Wall on the Southern Border will bring down the crime rate throughout the entire Country!"&nbsp;</p>

<p>Some studies show that illegal immigrants commit fewer crimes than people born in the United States.</p>

<p>Only in recent days has Trump begun describing the problem as "humanitarian," referring in a tweet Saturday to "a massive Humanitarian Crisis at our Southern Border."</p>

<p>President Donald Trump has refused to back away from his demand that lawmakers approve funding to build a Mexico border wall.</p>

<p>Due to&nbsp;the US government shutdown, small business administration loans to help mom-and-pop businesses trying to invest, hire and grow have been delayed.</p>

<p>There are no government loans for seeds or cattle feed and none of the regular Agriculture Department data about crop yields and commodity prices that farmers depend on to plan for the coming year.</p>

<p>Permits from some oil and gas drilling - which feeds into GDP calculations - are delayed.</p>


The United States is extending until September 30 the deployment of active duty soldiers and Coast Guard members at the border with Mexico, officials said Monday.

The United States is extending until September 30 the deployment of active duty soldiers and Coast Guard members at the border with Mexico, officials said Monday. As part of the move to extend the mission past the original January 31 deadline, the Pentagon said it was "transitioning its support at the southwestern border from hardening ports of entry to mobile surveillance and detection, as well as concertina wire emplacement between ports of entry." "DoD will continue to provide aviation support," the statement added, referring to the Department of Defense. Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan approved the extension in response to a request from the Homeland Security Department, the Pentagon said in a statement. There are about 2,350 troops assigned to the border mission. The impasse has paralysed Washington - its impact felt increasingly around the country - with the president refusing to sign off on budgets for swaths of government departments unrelated to the dispute. As a result, 800,000 federal employees - including FBI agents, air traffic controllers and museum staff - received no paychecks on Friday. Both Democrats and Republicans agree that the US-Mexican border presents challenges, but Trump has turned his single-minded push for more walls into a crusade. He tweeted Sunday that "The building of the Wall on the Southern Border will bring down the crime rate throughout the entire Country!" Some studies show that illegal immigrants commit fewer crimes than people born in the United States. Only in recent days has Trump begun describing the problem as "humanitarian," referring in a tweet Saturday to "a massive Humanitarian Crisis at our Southern Border." President Donald Trump has refused to back away from his demand that lawmakers approve funding to build a Mexico border wall. Due to the US government shutdown, small business administration loans to help mom-and-pop businesses trying to invest, hire and grow have been delayed. There are no government loans for seeds or cattle feed and none of the regular Agriculture Department data about crop yields and commodity prices that farmers depend on to plan for the coming year. Permits from some oil and gas drilling - which feeds into GDP calculations - are delayed.

US troop deployment at Mexico border extended till September: Pentagon

<p>Mexican authorities said Thursday they had found 21 bodies on the US-Mexican border after a drug-gang shootout in a town near where <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-will-skip-davos-meeting-if-us-government-shutdown-continues-189462">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;visited&nbsp;later in the day.</p>

<p>The bodies -- some of them badly burned -- were found Wednesday in the border town of Miguel Aleman, about 170 miles (270 kilometres) from McAllen, Texas, the city Trump was due to visit as he continues his push to build his long-sought border wall.</p>

<p>"We have reports there was a shootout yesterday (Wednesday) between two criminal groups that ended with 21 people dead," the security spokesman for the state of Tamaulipas, Luis Alberto Rodriguez, told Mexican TV news channel Milenio.</p>

<p>"Some of them were burned. Seven vehicles were also located... It was a confrontation between two rival groups that are involved in a turf war over drug-trafficking routes."</p>

<p>The Mexican army found the bodies in a remote area following a tip-off, he said.</p>

<p>Tamaulipas has become one of the most violent states in Mexico as rival drug cartels fight each other for its strategic position on the US border.</p>

<p>Mexico has been racked by drug-related violence in recent years -- something Trump has alluded to in arguing his wall is needed to keep out violent criminals and narcotics.</p>

<p>McAllen, where he was meeting with border patrol agents, sits across from Tamaulipas. The US State Department has issued its most severe travel warning for the state because of violent crime, classifying it alongside countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan.</p>

<p>More than 200,000 people have been murdered in Mexico since the government deployed the army to fight the country's powerful drug cartels in 2006, including a record 28,711 in 2017.</p>

<p>Preliminary figures indicate the homicide record was broken again in 2018.</p>


Mexican authorities said Thursday they had found 21 bodies on the US-Mexican border after a drug-gang shootout in a town near where President Donald Trump visited later in the day.

Mexican authorities said Thursday they had found 21 bodies on the US-Mexican border after a drug-gang shootout in a town near where President Donald Trump visited later in the day. The bodies -- some of them badly burned -- were found Wednesday in the border town of Miguel Aleman, about 170 miles (270 kilometres) from McAllen, Texas, the city Trump was due to visit as he continues his push to build his long-sought border wall. "We have reports there was a shootout yesterday (Wednesday) between two criminal groups that ended with 21 people dead," the security spokesman for the state of Tamaulipas, Luis Alberto Rodriguez, told Mexican TV news channel Milenio. "Some of them were burned. Seven vehicles were also located... It was a confrontation between two rival groups that are involved in a turf war over drug-trafficking routes." The Mexican army found the bodies in a remote area following a tip-off, he said. Tamaulipas has become one of the most violent states in Mexico as rival drug cartels fight each other for its strategic position on the US border. Mexico has been racked by drug-related violence in recent years -- something Trump has alluded to in arguing his wall is needed to keep out violent criminals and narcotics. McAllen, where he was meeting with border patrol agents, sits across from Tamaulipas. The US State Department has issued its most severe travel warning for the state because of violent crime, classifying it alongside countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan. More than 200,000 people have been murdered in Mexico since the government deployed the army to fight the country's powerful drug cartels in 2006, including a record 28,711 in 2017. Preliminary figures indicate the homicide record was broken again in 2018.

21 bodies found after drug gang shootout on US-Mexico border as Trump visits

<p>The United States President Donald Trump said on Thursday said that&nbsp;he will skip the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland if a government shutdown over his US-Mexico wall continues.</p>

<p>Trump is planning to attend the Davos meeting in just under two weeks, but said, "if the shutdown continues, I won't go."</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Because of the Democrats intransigence on Border Security and the great importance of Safety for our Nation, I am respectfully cancelling my very important trip to Davos, Switzerland for the World Economic Forum. My warmest regards and apologies to the <a href="https://twitter.com/wef?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WEF</a>!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1083426878336036865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>"I intended to go and speak in front of the world financial community in Davos. That's still on, but if the shutdown continues ... I won't go. I had planned to go, it's been very successful when I went. We have a great story to tell," Trump told reporters before leaving the White House to visit Texas.</p>

<p>Swaths of the US government have already been without funding for three weeks while Trump rows with opposition Democrats over his demand for them to authorize construction of hundreds of miles of wall along the Mexican border.</p>

<p>China's Vice President Wang Qishan is also expected to attend the Davos meeting, but it is not clear whether there will be any arrangements for a meeting between him and Trump during the annual gathering. China and the United States have taken a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/explaining-the-us-china-trade-war-which-grabbed-spotlight-in-2018-185043">90-day pause in implementing tariffs to hammer out a trade deal</a>.</p>

<p>The Swiss meeting could also provide Trump with opportunities to discuss better terms of trade with the European Union, Japan, Canada and Mexico.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-heads-to-us-mexico-border-to-push-wall-plan-189442">Trump headed to the US-Mexico border</a> to push his demand for a wall, a day after he walked out of negotiations with Democrats in a political crisis paralysing the government.</p>

<p>Trump left early from the White House en route for Texas, where he was expected to visit the community of McAllen and meet with local border patrol agents.</p>

<p>"We need border security," Trump told journalists before boarding the Marine One helicopter.</p>

<p>The Texas trip gives Trump yet another high-profile stage to push his wall plan, following a national television address Tuesday and his drama-filled abandonment of talks with Democratic opponents on Wednesday.</p>

<p>Trump wants $5.7 billion for construction of a wall that he says is needed to stop a violent crime crisis caused by an unsecured border.</p>

<p>But Democrats say the wall would not solve real US immigration problems and is being promoted as a gimmick to satisfy the president's right-wing base.</p>

<p>Trump has tried to pressure Congress by refusing to sign off on a host of unrelated, normally uncontroversial government spending, resulting in a partial government shutdown. Hundreds of thousands of federal employees, including air traffic controllers and members of the Coast Guard, have been without pay for three weeks.</p>


The United States President Donald Trump said on Thursday said that he will skip the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland if a government shutdown over his US-Mexico wall continues.

The United States President Donald Trump said on Thursday said that he will skip the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland if a government shutdown over his US-Mexico wall continues. Trump is planning to attend the Davos meeting in just under two weeks, but said, "if the shutdown continues, I won't go." Because of the Democrats intransigence on Border Security and the great importance of Safety for our Nation, I am respectfully cancelling my very important trip to Davos, Switzerland for the World Economic Forum. My warmest regards and apologies to the @WEF! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2019 × "I intended to go and speak in front of the world financial community in Davos. That's still on, but if the shutdown continues ... I won't go. I had planned to go, it's been very successful when I went. We have a great story to tell," Trump told reporters before leaving the White House to visit Texas. Swaths of the US government have already been without funding for three weeks while Trump rows with opposition Democrats over his demand for them to authorize construction of hundreds of miles of wall along the Mexican border. China's Vice President Wang Qishan is also expected to attend the Davos meeting, but it is not clear whether there will be any arrangements for a meeting between him and Trump during the annual gathering. China and the United States have taken a 90-day pause in implementing tariffs to hammer out a trade deal. The Swiss meeting could also provide Trump with opportunities to discuss better terms of trade with the European Union, Japan, Canada and Mexico. Meanwhile, Trump headed to the US-Mexico border to push his demand for a wall, a day after he walked out of negotiations with Democrats in a political crisis paralysing the government. Trump left early from the White House en route for Texas, where he was expected to visit the community of McAllen and meet with local border patrol agents. "We need border security," Trump told journalists before boarding the Marine One helicopter. The Texas trip gives Trump yet another high-profile stage to push his wall plan, following a national television address Tuesday and his drama-filled abandonment of talks with Democratic opponents on Wednesday. Trump wants $5.7 billion for construction of a wall that he says is needed to stop a violent crime crisis caused by an unsecured border. But Democrats say the wall would not solve real US immigration problems and is being promoted as a gimmick to satisfy the president's right-wing base. Trump has tried to pressure Congress by refusing to sign off on a host of unrelated, normally uncontroversial government spending, resulting in a partial government shutdown. Hundreds of thousands of federal employees, including air traffic controllers and members of the Coast Guard, have been without pay for three weeks.

Trump cancels trip to Davos World Economic Forum as US government shutdown continues

<p>Reggie Singh, the brother of Indian-origin policeman Ronil "Ron" Singh killed in California and described a national hero by Donald Trump, has said he supported the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-will-skip-davos-meeting-if-us-government-shutdown-continues-189462">US president's efforts on border security </a>so that others do not experience what his family has been going through since the incident.</p>

<p>Corporal Ronil Singh, 33, of the Newman Police Department was shot and killed during a traffic stop on December 26 allegedly by an illegal immigrant.</p>

<p>During a visit to the southern border state Texas on Thursday to push for his controversial <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-pushes-wall-plan-in-us-mexico-border-visit-189471">US-Mexico border wall plan</a>, Trump attended a border patrol roundtable at McAllen, where Reggie Singh was seated next to the president.</p>

<p>There the US president said, "I watched a family right around Christmas time... Suffer and I'd like to ask Reggie, maybe you could say a few words about your incredible brother, the job he was doing. He was so beloved by the people of the department and beyond the department."</p>

<p>To this, Reggie Singh told the president, "The way he (Ronil Singh) was killed, what my family is going through right now, I do not want any other family, law enforcement person to go through that."</p>

<p>"Whatever it takes to minimize... Put a stop to it, my family fully supports it," Reggie Singh said.</p>

<p>In the last few days, Trump has made it a point to mention the killing of Ronil Singh by an illegal immigrant to build a strong case in favour of a stronger border security to prevent entry of illegal immigrants.</p>

<p>"We are deeply moved to have with us Reggie Singh, whose brother, Ronil Singh, incredible guy. I mean, I watched, and I've rarely felt worse and watching news of our nation than watching your family and the love that you have for your brother," Trump said.</p>

<p>During the roundtable meeting, Reggie Singh said he and his brother are originally from Fiji.</p>

<p>"He (Ronil) always wanted to be in law enforcement. So legally we migrated to America to fulfil his dream of joining the law enforcement," he said.</p>

<p>"English is our second language. He worked on that, got his education, applied for law enforcement agency and he was asked to get his citizenship. He worked towards that and he became a cop, K-9, Corporal K-9," Reggie Singh said.</p>

<p>"At 33, Ronil Singh was cremated and I had to pick up his remains. It breaks my heart and no one should ever go through that. Seeing a five-month-old baby looking for his dad, no one should ever go through that on Christmas Day," he told Trump.</p>

<p>The president replied, "We are with you. You know that, right."</p>

<p>"That was a tough one, too. That was a tough one for a lot of people, not only the family, for a lot of people in this country. That was a tough thing to watch," Trump said.</p>

<p>"I can see that, the way it came through. It came through loud and clear. And there are so many other people who have the same -- nobody covers them..., nobody talks about how unfair it is to the victims of these brutal killings," he said.</p>

<p>On Tuesday, Trump spoke with the family members and law enforcement colleagues of Singh, a native of Fiji who joined the force in July 2011 and said America's heart broke the day the young officer was "savagely murdered" in cold blood by an "illegal alien".</p>

<p>Trump has asked for US $5.6 billion from the Congress to construct a wall along the US-Mexico border, which he said is crucial to stop the flow of illegal immigrants and smuggling of drugs into the country.</p>

<p>The Democrats argue that constructing a wall is not the best use of taxpayers' money.</p>

<p>The sharp differences between the Trump administration and the opposition Democrats over border security has resulted in a partial government shutdown, which entered its 20th day on Thursday, making it the second-longest in history after the 21-day shutdown in 1995-96.</p>


Reggie Singh, the brother of Indian-origin policeman Ronil "Ron" Singh killed in California and described a national hero by Donald Trump, has said he supported the US president's efforts on border security so that others do not experience what his family has been going through since the incident.

Reggie Singh, the brother of Indian-origin policeman Ronil "Ron" Singh killed in California and described a national hero by Donald Trump, has said he supported the US president's efforts on border security so that others do not experience what his family has been going through since the incident. Corporal Ronil Singh, 33, of the Newman Police Department was shot and killed during a traffic stop on December 26 allegedly by an illegal immigrant. During a visit to the southern border state Texas on Thursday to push for his controversial US-Mexico border wall plan, Trump attended a border patrol roundtable at McAllen, where Reggie Singh was seated next to the president. There the US president said, "I watched a family right around Christmas time... Suffer and I'd like to ask Reggie, maybe you could say a few words about your incredible brother, the job he was doing. He was so beloved by the people of the department and beyond the department." To this, Reggie Singh told the president, "The way he (Ronil Singh) was killed, what my family is going through right now, I do not want any other family, law enforcement person to go through that." "Whatever it takes to minimize... Put a stop to it, my family fully supports it," Reggie Singh said. In the last few days, Trump has made it a point to mention the killing of Ronil Singh by an illegal immigrant to build a strong case in favour of a stronger border security to prevent entry of illegal immigrants. "We are deeply moved to have with us Reggie Singh, whose brother, Ronil Singh, incredible guy. I mean, I watched, and I've rarely felt worse and watching news of our nation than watching your family and the love that you have for your brother," Trump said. During the roundtable meeting, Reggie Singh said he and his brother are originally from Fiji. "He (Ronil) always wanted to be in law enforcement. So legally we migrated to America to fulfil his dream of joining the law enforcement," he said. "English is our second language. He worked on that, got his education, applied for law enforcement agency and he was asked to get his citizenship. He worked towards that and he became a cop, K-9, Corporal K-9," Reggie Singh said. "At 33, Ronil Singh was cremated and I had to pick up his remains. It breaks my heart and no one should ever go through that. Seeing a five-month-old baby looking for his dad, no one should ever go through that on Christmas Day," he told Trump. The president replied, "We are with you. You know that, right." "That was a tough one, too. That was a tough one for a lot of people, not only the family, for a lot of people in this country. That was a tough thing to watch," Trump said. "I can see that, the way it came through. It came through loud and clear. And there are so many other people who have the same -- nobody covers them..., nobody talks about how unfair it is to the victims of these brutal killings," he said. On Tuesday, Trump spoke with the family members and law enforcement colleagues of Singh, a native of Fiji who joined the force in July 2011 and said America's heart broke the day the young officer was "savagely murdered" in cold blood by an "illegal alien". Trump has asked for US $5.6 billion from the Congress to construct a wall along the US-Mexico border, which he said is crucial to stop the flow of illegal immigrants and smuggling of drugs into the country. The Democrats argue that constructing a wall is not the best use of taxpayers' money. The sharp differences between the Trump administration and the opposition Democrats over border security has resulted in a partial government shutdown, which entered its 20th day on Thursday, making it the second-longest in history after the 21-day shutdown in 1995-96.

Brother of slain Indian-origin cop supports Trump on border security

<p>President Donald Trump warned of murderers and gangsters spreading across the country during a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-heads-to-us-mexico-border-to-push-wall-plan-189442">visit to the US-Mexican border </a>Thursday to push his demand for a multi-billion dollar wall.</p>

<p>Trump used the backdrop of the Rio Grande border river at McAllen, Texas, to ramp up what has already turned into a hugely messy political fight with Democratic opponents, resulting in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-will-skip-davos-meeting-if-us-government-shutdown-continues-189462">shutdown of swaths of the US government</a>.</p>

<p>With typical rhetorical flourishes, Trump said that only building more walls along the Mexican border could stop an onslaught of violent crime.</p>

<p>"They just go where there's no security and you don't even know the difference between Mexico and the United States," he told a meeting of border patrol officers. "They have women tied up, they have tape over their mouths, electrical tape."</p>

<p>"If we had a barrier of any kind, a powerful barrier, whether its steel or concrete..., we would stop it cold," Trump said.</p>

<p>Opposition Democrats are refusing to approve $5.7 billion in wall funding, saying that overwhelming numbers of illegal immigrants do not commit serious crimes and that Trump is mainly promoting the project to satisfy his right-wing base.</p>

<p>Trump said that illegal immigrant crime stretched right up into the north of the country. However, widely respected studies show that illegal immigrants commit fewer crimes than people born in the United States.</p>

<p><strong>Government shutdown goes on</strong></p>

<p>Trump's main way of pressuring Congress has been to refuse to sign off on a host of unrelated, normally uncontroversial, government spending until he gets his wall funded.</p>

<p>That has resulted in a partial government shutdown now in its 20th day, with hundreds of thousands of federal employees -- including air traffic controllers, the FBI and Coast Guard -- going without pay.</p>

<p>Signalling he's ready to maintain the game of brinksmanship, Trump tweeted on arrival in Texas that he will scrap a visit to the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, which runs from January 21-25.</p>

<p>Trump had been expected to make a brief appearance at the influential get-together, attended by many world leaders, but said that opposition Democratic "intransigence" required him to stay home.</p>

<p><strong>National emergency?</strong></p>

<p>Trump said he was ready to expand the debate over funding for a border wall to some of the other issues surrounding the over-burdened US immigration system -- a suggestion that could open the door to working with Democrats.</p>

<p>"I would like to do a much broader form of immigration," he said in Texas.</p>

<p>But throughout the day, the frustrated president also repeated his threat to declare a national emergency and give himself authority to go around Congress if he can't get approval for the wall.</p>

<p>"If I have to, I will. I have no doubt about it."</p>

<p>Analysts say the declaration would likely be challenged in court as a case of presidential overreach, in which case the wall still could face being blocked.</p>

<p>However, it would still give Trump political cover with his base by showing he'd done what he could. At that point, Trump could end the partial government shutdown and declare a win.</p>

<p><strong>White House walkout</strong></p>

<p>Trump, who revels in telling stories about his negotiating skills as a New York real estate magnate, has not managed to get the Democrats to budge on his demand for the $5.7 billion.</p>

<p>On Wednesday, he invited Democratic leaders to the White House but walked out of the meeting.</p>

<p>"A total waste of time," Trump tweeted. "I said bye-bye, nothing else works!"</p>

<p>Chuck Schumer, the top Democrat in the Senate, told journalists Trump "sort of slammed the table," then "got up and walked out."</p>

<p>"Again, we saw a temper tantrum because he couldn't get his way," Schumer said.<br />
Trump disputed that Thursday, saying "I didn't pound the table. That is a lie."</p>

<p>"I don't have temper tantrums," he said.</p>

<p><strong>21 bodies found in Mexico</strong></p>

<p>Few on either side of the debate dispute that the border poses a significant challenge, not least because of ruthless Mexican gangs bringing drugs to the huge US market.</p>

<p>Illustrating the danger, Mexican authorities said Thursday they had found 21 bodies after a gang shootout in Miguel Aleman, a town about 170 miles (270 kilometres) across the border from McAllen, Texas.</p>

<p>However, opponents to Trump say he is hyping the danger posed to Americans -- and the help that more walls would bring -- to stir xenophobia for his own political gains.</p>

<p>Yanira de Hernandez, a 52-year-old Salvadoran migrant who hopes to get to US soil from Mexico, said she simply dreams of a better life in a country built on immigration.</p>

<p>"Everyone has the right to emigrate, to seek a new future. We're not going to commit any crimes. We hope he (Trump) understands that and that God helps him to change, because his ancestors were migrants too," she said in the Mexican border city of Tijuana.</p>


President Donald Trump warned of murderers and gangsters spreading across the country during a visit to the US-Mexican border Thursday to push his demand for a multi-billion dollar wall.

President Donald Trump warned of murderers and gangsters spreading across the country during a visit to the US-Mexican border Thursday to push his demand for a multi-billion dollar wall. Trump used the backdrop of the Rio Grande border river at McAllen, Texas, to ramp up what has already turned into a hugely messy political fight with Democratic opponents, resulting in the shutdown of swaths of the US government. With typical rhetorical flourishes, Trump said that only building more walls along the Mexican border could stop an onslaught of violent crime. "They just go where there's no security and you don't even know the difference between Mexico and the United States," he told a meeting of border patrol officers. "They have women tied up, they have tape over their mouths, electrical tape." "If we had a barrier of any kind, a powerful barrier, whether its steel or concrete..., we would stop it cold," Trump said. Opposition Democrats are refusing to approve $5.7 billion in wall funding, saying that overwhelming numbers of illegal immigrants do not commit serious crimes and that Trump is mainly promoting the project to satisfy his right-wing base. Trump said that illegal immigrant crime stretched right up into the north of the country. However, widely respected studies show that illegal immigrants commit fewer crimes than people born in the United States. Government shutdown goes on Trump's main way of pressuring Congress has been to refuse to sign off on a host of unrelated, normally uncontroversial, government spending until he gets his wall funded. That has resulted in a partial government shutdown now in its 20th day, with hundreds of thousands of federal employees -- including air traffic controllers, the FBI and Coast Guard -- going without pay. Signalling he's ready to maintain the game of brinksmanship, Trump tweeted on arrival in Texas that he will scrap a visit to the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, which runs from January 21-25. Trump had been expected to make a brief appearance at the influential get-together, attended by many world leaders, but said that opposition Democratic "intransigence" required him to stay home. National emergency? Trump said he was ready to expand the debate over funding for a border wall to some of the other issues surrounding the over-burdened US immigration system -- a suggestion that could open the door to working with Democrats. "I would like to do a much broader form of immigration," he said in Texas. But throughout the day, the frustrated president also repeated his threat to declare a national emergency and give himself authority to go around Congress if he can't get approval for the wall. "If I have to, I will. I have no doubt about it." Analysts say the declaration would likely be challenged in court as a case of presidential overreach, in which case the wall still could face being blocked. However, it would still give Trump political cover with his base by showing he'd done what he could. At that point, Trump could end the partial government shutdown and declare a win. White House walkout Trump, who revels in telling stories about his negotiating skills as a New York real estate magnate, has not managed to get the Democrats to budge on his demand for the $5.7 billion. On Wednesday, he invited Democratic leaders to the White House but walked out of the meeting. "A total waste of time," Trump tweeted. "I said bye-bye, nothing else works!" Chuck Schumer, the top Democrat in the Senate, told journalists Trump "sort of slammed the table," then "got up and walked out." "Again, we saw a temper tantrum because he couldn't get his way," Schumer said. Trump disputed that Thursday, saying "I didn't pound the table. That is a lie." "I don't have temper tantrums," he said. 21 bodies found in Mexico Few on either side of the debate dispute that the border poses a significant challenge, not least because of ruthless Mexican gangs bringing drugs to the huge US market. Illustrating the danger, Mexican authorities said Thursday they had found 21 bodies after a gang shootout in Miguel Aleman, a town about 170 miles (270 kilometres) across the border from McAllen, Texas. However, opponents to Trump say he is hyping the danger posed to Americans -- and the help that more walls would bring -- to stir xenophobia for his own political gains. Yanira de Hernandez, a 52-year-old Salvadoran migrant who hopes to get to US soil from Mexico, said she simply dreams of a better life in a country built on immigration. "Everyone has the right to emigrate, to seek a new future. We're not going to commit any crimes. We hope he (Trump) understands that and that God helps him to change, because his ancestors were migrants too," she said in the Mexican border city of Tijuana.

Trump pushes wall plan in US-Mexico border visit

<p>In a televised address to the nation, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-refuses-to-sign-us-government-shutdown-legislation-over-mexico-wall-funding-185571">US President Trump said today</a> that US-Mexico border situation was a "growing crisis" while demanding $5.7 billion for steel barrier on the Mexico border from Democrats.</p>

<p>"There is a growing humanitarian and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/no-signed-agreement-with-us-on-asylum-seekers-mexico-185795">security crisis at our southern </a>border," the president said during his address from the Oval Office, adding that every day US Customs and border patrol agents "encounter thousands of illegal immigrants trying to enter our country."</p>

<p>Trump said the Mexico border wall was "absolutely critical to border security."</p>

<p>"As part of an overall approach to border security, law enforcement professionals have requested $5.7 billion for a physical barrier," Trump asserted during his address to the nation.</p>

<p>Although reports said Trump would be declaring a state of national emergency, however, the US president did not mention it during his address.</p>

<p>"America proudly welcomes millions of lawful immigrants who enrich our society and contribute to our nation. But all Americans are hurt by uncontrolled illegal migration. It strains public resources, and drives down jobs and wages. Among those hardest hit are African-Americans and Hispanic Americans," the US president said.</p>

<p>Trump's addressed the nation as the country entered the seventeenth day of the partial shutdown with several US departments closed since December 21st.</p>

<p>"In the last two years, ICE officers made 266,000 arrests of aliens with criminal records, including those charged or convicted of 100,000 assaults; 30,000 sex crimes and 4,000 violent killings," Trump said, adding,"over the years, thousands of Americans have been brutally killed by those who illegally entered our country, and thousands of more lives will be lost if we don't act right now."</p>

<p>"This is a humanitarian crisis - a crisis of the heart and a crisis of the soul."</p>

<p>"Last month, 20,000 migrant children were illegally brought into the United States - a dramatic increase. These children are used as human pawns, by vicious coyotes and ruthless gangs. One in three women are sexually assaulted on the dangerous trek up through Mexico. Women and children are the biggest victims by far of our broken system," President Trump declared.</p>

<p>"This is the tragic reality of illegal immigration on our southern border. This is the cycle of human suffering that I am determined to end," he asserted.</p>

<p>"When I took office, I swore to protect this country and that is what I will always do," Trump said as he closed his address.</p>

<p>Just after President Trump's televised address got over, Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi in an another televised address said that Trump must stop holding America "hostage&nbsp;over shutdown".</p>

<p>"President Trump must stop holding the American people hostage, must stop manufacturing a crisis, and must re-open the government," Pelosi said.</p>


In a televised address to the nation, US President Trump said today that US-Mexico border situation was a "growing crisis" while demanding $5.7 billion for steel barrier on the Mexico border from Democrats.

In a televised address to the nation, US President Trump said today that US-Mexico border situation was a "growing crisis" while demanding $5.7 billion for steel barrier on the Mexico border from Democrats. "There is a growing humanitarian and security crisis at our southern border," the president said during his address from the Oval Office, adding that every day US Customs and border patrol agents "encounter thousands of illegal immigrants trying to enter our country." Trump said the Mexico border wall was "absolutely critical to border security." "As part of an overall approach to border security, law enforcement professionals have requested $5.7 billion for a physical barrier," Trump asserted during his address to the nation. Although reports said Trump would be declaring a state of national emergency, however, the US president did not mention it during his address. "America proudly welcomes millions of lawful immigrants who enrich our society and contribute to our nation. But all Americans are hurt by uncontrolled illegal migration. It strains public resources, and drives down jobs and wages. Among those hardest hit are African-Americans and Hispanic Americans," the US president said. Trump's addressed the nation as the country entered the seventeenth day of the partial shutdown with several US departments closed since December 21st. "In the last two years, ICE officers made 266,000 arrests of aliens with criminal records, including those charged or convicted of 100,000 assaults; 30,000 sex crimes and 4,000 violent killings," Trump said, adding,"over the years, thousands of Americans have been brutally killed by those who illegally entered our country, and thousands of more lives will be lost if we don't act right now." "This is a humanitarian crisis - a crisis of the heart and a crisis of the soul." "Last month, 20,000 migrant children were illegally brought into the United States - a dramatic increase. These children are used as human pawns, by vicious coyotes and ruthless gangs. One in three women are sexually assaulted on the dangerous trek up through Mexico. Women and children are the biggest victims by far of our broken system," President Trump declared. "This is the tragic reality of illegal immigration on our southern border. This is the cycle of human suffering that I am determined to end," he asserted. "When I took office, I swore to protect this country and that is what I will always do," Trump said as he closed his address. Just after President Trump's televised address got over, Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi in an another televised address said that Trump must stop holding America "hostage over shutdown". "President Trump must stop holding the American people hostage, must stop manufacturing a crisis, and must re-open the government," Pelosi said.

Watch: Growing humanitarian, security crisis at our southern border, says Trump in televised address

<p>In a direct attack on Donald Trump, the former official photographer of Barack Obama on Sunday posted a picture of the former US President on Instagram with a caption "There once a wall here. It was torn down in 1989.''</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BsTWka_lF4G/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:16px;">
<div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 19% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BsTWka_lF4G/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd" stroke="none" stroke-width="1"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></a></div>

<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BsTWka_lF4G/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank">View this post on Instagram</a></div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 12.5% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: 8px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: auto;">
<div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BsTWka_lF4G/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">There once was a wall here. It was torn down in 1989. 😎 #throwshadethenvote</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/petesouza/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Pete Souza</a> (@petesouza) on <time datetime="2019-01-06T18:00:22+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Jan 6, 2019 at 10:00am PST</time></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>In his Instagram post the former photographer Pete Souza has compared the Berlin Wall with Trumps's incessant demand for the construction of the US Mexico border wall.</p>

<p>The post which has attracted over seventy thousand likes, shows Obama sitting beside the iconic Brandenberg Gate in Germany where the Berlin Wall once stood.</p>

<p>The Berlin wall which was built in 1961 demarcated East German with the West and prevented free movement between the two sides from 1961 to 1989 before being pulled down in 1992.</p>

<p>The post holds significance as it highlights the current American politics being ruled by "wall".</p>

<p>The United States has entered the third week of a partial government shutdown resulting from the dispute between Trump and Democrats that has left hundreds of thousands of federal workers idled or without paychecks.</p>

<p>The conflict&nbsp;rose after the Democrats declined to approve the $5.6 billion fund that Trump has been demanding for the border wall.</p>

<p>Building a wall along the 2,000-mile (3,200-kilometer) US-Mexico frontier was a central plank in the 2016 election campaign of Trump, who has sought to equate immigrants with crime, drugs and gangs.</p>

<p>He has also threatened to declare a national emergency in the country in case his demands are not accepted.</p>

<p>Trump on Sunday proposed for a steel barrier between Mexico and US instead of concrete as a potential compromise with Democrats.</p>

<p>Thousands of federal workers are without work and paychecks since the US government shutdown. The shutdown has also been a factor in stock market volatility.</p>

<p>This is not the first time when Souza has targetted Trump through his Instagram post.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In his previous post, Souze had posted a picture captioned &nbsp;'a different kind of wall' and has garnered over ninety-nine thousand likes.</p>

<p>Here Obama can be seen painting on a wall with the caption 'wall of hope''</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BsQ0CSvl1m1/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:16px;">
<div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 19% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BsQ0CSvl1m1/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd" stroke="none" stroke-width="1"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></a></div>

<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BsQ0CSvl1m1/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank">View this post on Instagram</a></div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 12.5% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: 8px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: auto;">
<div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BsQ0CSvl1m1/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">A different kind of wall. 😎 #throwshadethenvote</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/petesouza/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Pete Souza</a> (@petesouza) on <time datetime="2019-01-05T18:20:08+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Jan 5, 2019 at 10:20am PST</time></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


In a direct attack on Donald Trump, the former official photographer of Barack Obama on Sunday posted a picture of the former US President on Instagram with a caption "There once a wall here.

In a direct attack on Donald Trump, the former official photographer of Barack Obama on Sunday posted a picture of the former US President on Instagram with a caption "There once a wall here. It was torn down in 1989.'' View this post on Instagram There once was a wall here. It was torn down in 1989. 😎 #throwshadethenvote A post shared by Pete Souza (@petesouza) on Jan 6, 2019 at 10:00am PST × In his Instagram post the former photographer Pete Souza has compared the Berlin Wall with Trumps's incessant demand for the construction of the US Mexico border wall. The post which has attracted over seventy thousand likes, shows Obama sitting beside the iconic Brandenberg Gate in Germany where the Berlin Wall once stood. The Berlin wall which was built in 1961 demarcated East German with the West and prevented free movement between the two sides from 1961 to 1989 before being pulled down in 1992. The post holds significance as it highlights the current American politics being ruled by "wall". The United States has entered the third week of a partial government shutdown resulting from the dispute between Trump and Democrats that has left hundreds of thousands of federal workers idled or without paychecks. The conflict rose after the Democrats declined to approve the $5.6 billion fund that Trump has been demanding for the border wall. Building a wall along the 2,000-mile (3,200-kilometer) US-Mexico frontier was a central plank in the 2016 election campaign of Trump, who has sought to equate immigrants with crime, drugs and gangs. He has also threatened to declare a national emergency in the country in case his demands are not accepted. Trump on Sunday proposed for a steel barrier between Mexico and US instead of concrete as a potential compromise with Democrats. Thousands of federal workers are without work and paychecks since the US government shutdown. The shutdown has also been a factor in stock market volatility. This is not the first time when Souza has targetted Trump through his Instagram post. In his previous post, Souze had posted a picture captioned 'a different kind of wall' and has garnered over ninety-nine thousand likes. Here Obama can be seen painting on a wall with the caption 'wall of hope'' View this post on Instagram A different kind of wall. 😎 #throwshadethenvote A post shared by Pete Souza (@petesouza) on Jan 5, 2019 at 10:20am PST ×

Obama's former photographer trolls Donald Trump over his 'wall' demand

<p>Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) Australia has ordered strict punishment for a teenager who was caught forcing a quokka to vape on video.</p>

<p>In a recent video - a quokka a marsupial also known as short-tailed scrub wallaby- is seen standing on its back legs and curiously lick the e-cigarette device, which it assumed was food. The teenage girl then shoved the device down the vulnerable quokka’s throat, forcing it to vape.</p>

<p>When the authorities caught hold of the video, they quickly opened an investigation into this matter calling it "completely and utterly irresponsible and unacceptable for this poor defenseless, vulnerable animal to be subjected to that kind of cruelty," RSPCA WA executive manager Hannah Dreaver told 9News.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/neanderthals-population-might-have-declined-due-to-sex-with-humans-study-403707" hreflang="en">Neanderthal's population might have declined due to sex with humans: Study</a></strong></p>

<p>If and when the culprits are caught, they will be sentenced to a maximum jail sentence of five years along with a monetary fine of AUD$50,000 on charges of animal cruelty.</p>

<p>Quokkas have been classified as vulnerable to extinction. "Those animals are really, really vulnerable," Dreaver said. "They've become used to human interaction so they’re not running away from us"&nbsp;but are instead "actually seeking it out".</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/study-reveals-how-venom-contributed-to-formation-of-new-species-of-insects-fishes-403636" hreflang="en">Study reveals how venom contributed to formation of new species of insects, fishes</a></strong></p>

<p>RSPCA has warned people to not indulge in any such acts of cruelty and has stressed that any form of food or liquid which is not a part of their natural diet is extremely harmful to them.</p>

<p>Considering how a young person was also fined for feeding alcohol to a quokka, authorities have warned that alcohol can "potentially kill an animal as small as this".</p>

<p>"What concerns us is that people do this and post it on social media thinking it’s funny, when it is actually intentional cruelty that can have severe or fatal effect on the animal," authorities said.</p>


Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) Australia has ordered strict punishment for a teenager who was caught forcing a quokka to vape on video.

Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) Australia has ordered strict punishment for a teenager who was caught forcing a quokka to vape on video. In a recent video - a quokka a marsupial also known as short-tailed scrub wallaby- is seen standing on its back legs and curiously lick the e-cigarette device, which it assumed was food. The teenage girl then shoved the device down the vulnerable quokka’s throat, forcing it to vape. When the authorities caught hold of the video, they quickly opened an investigation into this matter calling it "completely and utterly irresponsible and unacceptable for this poor defenseless, vulnerable animal to be subjected to that kind of cruelty," RSPCA WA executive manager Hannah Dreaver told 9News. Also read | Neanderthal's population might have declined due to sex with humans: Study If and when the culprits are caught, they will be sentenced to a maximum jail sentence of five years along with a monetary fine of AUD$50,000 on charges of animal cruelty. Quokkas have been classified as vulnerable to extinction. "Those animals are really, really vulnerable," Dreaver said. "They've become used to human interaction so they’re not running away from us" but are instead "actually seeking it out". Also read | Study reveals how venom contributed to formation of new species of insects, fishes RSPCA has warned people to not indulge in any such acts of cruelty and has stressed that any form of food or liquid which is not a part of their natural diet is extremely harmful to them. Considering how a young person was also fined for feeding alcohol to a quokka, authorities have warned that alcohol can "potentially kill an animal as small as this". "What concerns us is that people do this and post it on social media thinking it’s funny, when it is actually intentional cruelty that can have severe or fatal effect on the animal," authorities said.

Trump holds firm on border wall, offers steel option as compromise

<p>A defiant President Donald Trump said Friday he was prepared to keep the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-congress-leaders-set-to-huddle-on-border-wall-government-shutdown-188197">US government shut down</a> for as long as it takes -- months or even years -- to force Congress to provide billions of dollars for a border wall with Mexico.</p>

<p>"This is national security we're talking about. We're not playing games," Trump said following another round of talks at the White House with Democratic leaders on ending the two-week impasse which has shut about 25 per cent of the government.</p>

<p>"The southern border is a dangerous, horrible disaster," he said, decrying illegal immigration, drug smuggling and human trafficking.</p>

<p>"We have to get a structure built," Trump said, calling on Congress to approve his $5.6 billion requests for a "major powerful barrier" made of concrete or steel.</p>

<p>Trump also claimed that some previous US presidents had told him they should have built a wall. None of Trump's predecessors has ever publicly advocated such a thing.</p>

<p>Describing the situation as a "national emergency," Trump said he was looking into ways to get a wall built without congressional approval. "I may do it," he said. "I am allowed to do that."</p>

<p>Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, said Democrats had urged Trump during what he called a "sometimes contentious" meeting to reopen the federal government, which has been partially shut down since December 22 leaving 800,000 employees furloughed or working without pay.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A handful of those employees held a roadside protest in Maryland on Friday, saying they want to get back to work, WTOP radio reported.</p>

<p>"We told the president we needed the government open," Schumer said. "He resisted. In fact, he said he'd keep the government closed for a very long period of time. Months or even years."</p>

<p>Asked by reporters whether this was true, Trump said it was although he added that he hoped the shutdown "doesn't go on even beyond a few more days."</p>

<p>"I will do whatever we have to do," Trump said. "If we have to stay out for a very long period of time we will do that."</p>

<p><strong>Talks over the weekend</strong></p>

<p>Trump said a bipartisan group including Vice President Mike Pence would meet over the weekend to try to reach an agreement.</p>

<p>"Our aim will be to find a solution, not just simply to end the government shutdown, to provide funding to end the crisis at our southern border, to achieve real border security and to build a wall on our southern border," Pence said.</p>

<p>A quick end to the stalemate does not appear to be in sight, however, as Democrats, who now control the House of Representatives, seem in no mood to make concessions.</p>

<p>"We are committed to keeping our borders safe," Nancy Pelosi, who took over as speaker of the House on Thursday, told reporters following the meeting with the president.</p>

<p>But, Pelosi added, "we recognize on the Democratic side that we really cannot resolve this until we open up government.</p>

<p>"And we made that very clear to the president," she said. "Services are being withheld from the American people. Paychecks are being withheld."</p>

<p>Both Democrats and Republicans have attempted to pin the blame for the shutdown on the other side and Pelosi has ruled out funding for a border wall she has described as an "immorality."</p>

<p>Shortly after the new Congress was sworn in on Thursday, the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-passes-bills-that-would-end-government-shutdown-without-wall-funds-188145">House approved legislation to fund homeland security operations</a> until February 8 and several other agencies through September -- but no money for a wall.</p>

<p>Trump has said he would veto any bill that does not include funding for the barrier and the Republican-run Senate has said it would not consider anything that does not pass muster with the president.</p>

<p>The fight over the wall is setting the stage for what could be a tumultuous final two years in office for Trump faced with a hostile Democratic-controlled House equipped with investigative powers.</p>

<p>Some newly seated Democrats have even called for impeachment proceedings against the Republican president although Pelosi has distanced herself from those appeals for the time being.</p>

<p>"We talked about (impeachment) today," Trump said. "Nancy said 'We're not looking to impeach you.'"</p>

<p>Trump also sought to defend his record saying "you don't impeach people when they're doing a good job."</p>


'We have to get a structure built,' Trump said, calling on Congress to approve his $5.6 billion requests for a 'major powerful barrier' made of concrete or steel.

A defiant President Donald Trump said Friday he was prepared to keep the US government shut down for as long as it takes -- months or even years -- to force Congress to provide billions of dollars for a border wall with Mexico. "This is national security we're talking about. We're not playing games," Trump said following another round of talks at the White House with Democratic leaders on ending the two-week impasse which has shut about 25 per cent of the government. "The southern border is a dangerous, horrible disaster," he said, decrying illegal immigration, drug smuggling and human trafficking. "We have to get a structure built," Trump said, calling on Congress to approve his $5.6 billion requests for a "major powerful barrier" made of concrete or steel. Trump also claimed that some previous US presidents had told him they should have built a wall. None of Trump's predecessors has ever publicly advocated such a thing. Describing the situation as a "national emergency," Trump said he was looking into ways to get a wall built without congressional approval. "I may do it," he said. "I am allowed to do that." Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, said Democrats had urged Trump during what he called a "sometimes contentious" meeting to reopen the federal government, which has been partially shut down since December 22 leaving 800,000 employees furloughed or working without pay. A handful of those employees held a roadside protest in Maryland on Friday, saying they want to get back to work, WTOP radio reported. "We told the president we needed the government open," Schumer said. "He resisted. In fact, he said he'd keep the government closed for a very long period of time. Months or even years." Asked by reporters whether this was true, Trump said it was although he added that he hoped the shutdown "doesn't go on even beyond a few more days." "I will do whatever we have to do," Trump said. "If we have to stay out for a very long period of time we will do that." Talks over the weekend Trump said a bipartisan group including Vice President Mike Pence would meet over the weekend to try to reach an agreement. "Our aim will be to find a solution, not just simply to end the government shutdown, to provide funding to end the crisis at our southern border, to achieve real border security and to build a wall on our southern border," Pence said. A quick end to the stalemate does not appear to be in sight, however, as Democrats, who now control the House of Representatives, seem in no mood to make concessions. "We are committed to keeping our borders safe," Nancy Pelosi, who took over as speaker of the House on Thursday, told reporters following the meeting with the president. But, Pelosi added, "we recognize on the Democratic side that we really cannot resolve this until we open up government. "And we made that very clear to the president," she said. "Services are being withheld from the American people. Paychecks are being withheld." Both Democrats and Republicans have attempted to pin the blame for the shutdown on the other side and Pelosi has ruled out funding for a border wall she has described as an "immorality." Shortly after the new Congress was sworn in on Thursday, the House approved legislation to fund homeland security operations until February 8 and several other agencies through September -- but no money for a wall. Trump has said he would veto any bill that does not include funding for the barrier and the Republican-run Senate has said it would not consider anything that does not pass muster with the president. The fight over the wall is setting the stage for what could be a tumultuous final two years in office for Trump faced with a hostile Democratic-controlled House equipped with investigative powers. Some newly seated Democrats have even called for impeachment proceedings against the Republican president although Pelosi has distanced herself from those appeals for the time being. "We talked about (impeachment) today," Trump said. "Nancy said 'We're not looking to impeach you.'" Trump also sought to defend his record saying "you don't impeach people when they're doing a good job."

Ready to shut government for months or even years: Trump

<p>United States President Donald Trump on Saturday once again blamed the Democrats, who obstructed his plans of building a wall in the southern border with Mexico to stop illegal migration, for the death of migrant children crossing into the US.</p>

<p>The US President personally took to Twitter saying, "Any deaths of children or others at the Border are strictly the fault of the Democrats and their pathetic immigration policies that allow people to make the long trek thinking they can enter our country illegally. They can't. If we had a Wall, they wouldn't even try! The two children in question were very sick before they were given over to Border Patrol. The father of the young girl said it was not their fault, he hadn't given her water in days. Border Patrol needs the Wall and it will all end. They are working so hard &amp; getting so little credit!".</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Any deaths of children or others at the Border are strictly the fault of the Democrats and their pathetic immigration policies that allow people to make the long trek thinking they can enter our country illegally. They can’t. If we had a Wall, they wouldn’t even try! The two.....</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1079082188665171971?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">...children in question were very sick before they were given over to Border Patrol. The father of the young girl said it was not their fault, he hadn’t given her water in days. Border Patrol needs the Wall and it will all end. They are working so hard &amp; getting so little credit!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1079083702943211520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Fox News reported that the US President cited the death of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/second-guatemalan-migrant-child-dies-in-us-custody-186481">two migrant children</a> from Guatemala, namely eight-year-old boy Felipe Gomez Alonzo and a seven-year-old girl <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/father-of-dead-guatemalan-migrant-calls-for-objective-investigation-into-death-184403">Jakelin Caal </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/father-of-dead-guatemalan-migrant-calls-for-objective-investigation-into-death-184403">Maquin</a>, who lost their lives earlier this month while being in the custody of the Border Police.</p>

<p>Both the children fell sick due to lack of proper food and medical facilities while crossing the border.</p>

<p>The US President further said on Twitter that the father of the Guatemalan boy had said that it was not the fault of the Border Police.</p>

<p>The US President Donald Trump had pushed for a border wall with Mexico despite a partial <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-refuses-to-sign-us-government-shutdown-legislation-over-mexico-wall-funding-185571">government shutdown in the country</a> which may continue till 2019.</p>

<p>The shutdown was triggered by a lack of consensus between lawmakers and the US President on the funding for the wall which was one of Trump's electoral promises.</p>

<p>Trump said, "For those that naively ask why didn't the Republicans get approval to build the Wall over the last year, it is because IN THE SENATE WE NEED 10 DEMOCRAT VOTES, and they will gives us "NONE" for Border Security! Now we have to do it the hard way, with a Shutdown. Too bad! @FoxNews".&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">For those that naively ask why didn’t the Republicans get approval to build the Wall over the last year, it is because IN THE SENATE WE NEED 10 DEMOCRAT VOTES, and they will gives us “NONE” for Border Security! Now we have to do it the hard way, with a Shutdown. Too bad! <a href="https://twitter.com/FoxNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FoxNews</a></p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1079096156708319232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


United States President Donald Trump on Saturday once again blamed the Democrats, who obstructed his plans of building a wall in the southern border with Mexico to stop illegal migration, for the death of migrant children crossing into the US.

United States President Donald Trump on Saturday once again blamed the Democrats, who obstructed his plans of building a wall in the southern border with Mexico to stop illegal migration, for the death of migrant children crossing into the US. The US President personally took to Twitter saying, "Any deaths of children or others at the Border are strictly the fault of the Democrats and their pathetic immigration policies that allow people to make the long trek thinking they can enter our country illegally. They can't. If we had a Wall, they wouldn't even try! The two children in question were very sick before they were given over to Border Patrol. The father of the young girl said it was not their fault, he hadn't given her water in days. Border Patrol needs the Wall and it will all end. They are working so hard & getting so little credit!". Any deaths of children or others at the Border are strictly the fault of the Democrats and their pathetic immigration policies that allow people to make the long trek thinking they can enter our country illegally. They can’t. If we had a Wall, they wouldn’t even try! The two..... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 29, 2018 × ...children in question were very sick before they were given over to Border Patrol. The father of the young girl said it was not their fault, he hadn’t given her water in days. Border Patrol needs the Wall and it will all end. They are working so hard & getting so little credit! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 29, 2018 × Fox News reported that the US President cited the death of two migrant children from Guatemala, namely eight-year-old boy Felipe Gomez Alonzo and a seven-year-old girl Jakelin Caal Maquin, who lost their lives earlier this month while being in the custody of the Border Police. Both the children fell sick due to lack of proper food and medical facilities while crossing the border. The US President further said on Twitter that the father of the Guatemalan boy had said that it was not the fault of the Border Police. The US President Donald Trump had pushed for a border wall with Mexico despite a partial government shutdown in the country which may continue till 2019. The shutdown was triggered by a lack of consensus between lawmakers and the US President on the funding for the wall which was one of Trump's electoral promises. Trump said, "For those that naively ask why didn't the Republicans get approval to build the Wall over the last year, it is because IN THE SENATE WE NEED 10 DEMOCRAT VOTES, and they will gives us "NONE" for Border Security! Now we have to do it the hard way, with a Shutdown. Too bad! @FoxNews". For those that naively ask why didn’t the Republicans get approval to build the Wall over the last year, it is because IN THE SENATE WE NEED 10 DEMOCRAT VOTES, and they will gives us “NONE” for Border Security! Now we have to do it the hard way, with a Shutdown. Too bad! @FoxNews — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 29, 2018 ×

Trump blames Democrats for deaths of children at the border