Trump address: US president demands US border wall, no emergency declared
US president Donald Trump called on Congress to agree to build the US border wall in a television address.
The Tuesday address comes after Trump urged Congress to give him $5.7 billion to help build a US border wall with Mexico earlier this year.
Trump threatened to declare the wall a national emergency to receive funds on Monday but fell short of mentioning the declare in the televised address.
Trump said in his televised speech that there was a growing security crisis at the country’s southern border.
‘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 hits are African-Americans and Hispanic Americans.’ Trump said.
Many critics expected Trump to mention the national emergency to fund the wall in his speech but were left surprised when he instead said he would continue seeking a solution to the standoff with Congress.
18th day of a partial government shutdown
The televised speech comes as the government enters its 18th day of a partial government shutdown, triggered by Trump's demand for a wall..
Trump urged Congress to not ignore the 'crisis' saying in his speech that the wall would help prevent America's drug problem.
‘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 4000 violent killings.'Trump said.
In televised rebuttals to Trump’s speech Democratic leader, Chuck Schumer and House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi said Trump was obsessed with building the wall.
Senator Pelosi critisized the president’s "obsession with forcing American taxpayers to waste billions of dollars on an expensive and ineffective wall – a wall he always promised Mexico would pay for!"
While it is still unclear whether Trump will eventually declare a national emergency for the wall, he is expected to visit the southwest border on Thursday.
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