On Sunday, U.S President Donald Trump said that he would allow the federal government to shut down if Democrats refused to back his demand to build a wall at the Mexico border and other significant changes to immigration laws.
In a tweet, he said, “I would be willing to “shut down” government if the Democrats do not give us the votes for Border Security, which includes the Wall! Must get rid of Lottery, Catch & Release etc. and finally go to system of Immigration based on MERIT! We need great people coming into our Country!”
I would be willing to “shut down” government if the Democrats do not give us the votes for Border Security, which includes the Wall! Must get rid of Lottery, Catch & Release etc. and finally go to system of Immigration based on MERIT! We need great people coming into our Country!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 29, 2018
The President has requested for $25 billion to build the border wall. $1.6 billion has already been appropriated for the project. Paul Ryan, US House of Representatives Speaker said lawmakers were considering an appropriations measure seeking an additional $5 billion for the wall.
Earlier, Donald had threatened to shut down the government after his priorities in congressional spending bills was sidelined. He had also, during his tenure, imposed a travel ban on people from predominantly Muslim countries into entering the country. Recently, he drew flak by separating illegal immigrant children from their parents at the US-Mexico border.
On Friday, a federal judge urged the government to focus on reuniting deported immigrant parents with their children.
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