Trump threatens to close Mexico border after migrants ‘violently’ try to force their way into US
- Threat is latest against thousands of Central Americans heading for the US where they want to be treated as asylum seekers
- Mexico arrested 500 migrants who tried to illegally cross the border into the US on Sunday
US President Donald Trump said the US will close its southern border with Mexico if needed, a day after US agents shot several rounds of tear gas at migrants after some tried to breach a border fence.
“Mexico should move the flag waving Migrants, many of whom are stone cold criminals, back to their countries,” Trump said on Monday on Twitter. “Do it by plane, do it by bus, do it anyway you want, but they are NOT coming into the U.S.A. We will close the Border permanently if need be. Congress, fund the WALL!”
US border officials on Sunday temporarily closed the San Isidro port of entry between Tijuana and San Diego, one of the busiest border crossings in the world, “to ensure public safety” after agents shot several rounds of tear gas at migrants.
An estimated 8,200 people heading to the US from Central America are now in Mexico, authorities say. Trump has vowed to shut down the southern border with lethal force if necessary, and is calling on Mexico to intervene.
On Monday, Mexico’s interior ministry said it plans to deport up to 500 people who tried to “violently” and “illegally” cross the border into the US on Sunday.
Several hundred people – mostly men – pushed past a blockade of Mexican police near the crossing. They carried hand-painted US and Honduran flags and chanted: “We are not criminals! We are international workers!”
