Washington: Amid persistent clash over illegal immigration, US President Donald Trump on Friday threatened to close the nation's southern border with Mexico by next week, it was reported. "If Mexico doesn't immediately stop ALL illegal immigration coming into the United States through our southern border, I will be closing the border, or large sections of the border, next week", Trump stated on Twitter.
He further claimed that closing off border crossings which and key avenues for trade with Mexico "would be a good thing!" The threat comes just a day after Trump criticized Mexico and several Central American nations for not stopping illegal immigrants who are heading north to cross the US border.
"Mexico is doing NOTHING to help stop the flow of illegal immigrants to our Country. They are all talk and no action," Trump said in a tweet Thursday. "Likewise, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador have taken our money for years, and do Nothing. May close the Southern Border!", stated Trump clearly.
The President's remarks are contrary to those of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. Nielsen on Thursday has thanked Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador for their efforts to help the United States for securing the border.
However, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador rejected Trump's criticism. "We respect President Trump's position, and we are going to help", Lopez Obrador was cited as telling the reporters. "This is a problem of the United States, or it's a problem of the Central American countries. It's not up to us Mexicans, no."
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The latest threats were issued after US border officials reported an increase in asylum seekers, many among which are children and families who are fleeing violence and economic hardship in Central America.
Even late last year, Trump had repeatedly threatened to seal the southern border. Last time also the White House and Congressional Democrats couldn't reach an agreement over his demand for billions of US dollars in funding for a wall along the US-Mexico border, a plank of his 2016 presidential campaign.