TWO DAYS AFTER REVERSING COURSE AT THE BORDER, TRUMP SAYS IMMIGRATION BILL CAN WAIT UNTIL AFTER ‘RED WAVE’ IN NOVEMBER ELECTIONS. MEANWHILE 20,000 CHILDREN TO BE HOUSED ON MILITARY BASES.

WASHINGTON • Donald Trump accused Democrats of spreading “phoney stories of sadness and grief ” as he told Republicans to “stop wasting time” on the immigration crisis at the Mexican border.

The U.S. president suggested Democrats had fabricated some of the news that came from the border following a backlash against his policy of forcibly separating illegal immigrant families.

He said Republicans should cease efforts to push comprehensive immigration legislation through Congress and focus instead on winning midterm elections in November.

His comments came two days after he signed an executive order ending family separations when photographs of children being held in wire mesh cages caused an outcry.

On Twitter, he wrote: “We cannot allow our Country to be overrun by illegal immigrants as the Democrats tell their phoney stories of sadness and grief, hoping it will help them in the elections. Obama and others had the same pictures, and did nothing about it!”

He added: “Republicans should stop wasting their time on Immigration until after we elect more Senators and Congressmen/women in November. Dems are just playing games. We can pass great legislation after the Red Wave!”

One Republican bill aimed at overhauling the immigration system failed on Thursday, and another remained in limbo. Republican leaders in Congress said they would press on anyway.

Both bills would have addressed the separations but also included funding for the promised border wall and a reduction of legal migration. Trump also said he “will speak to Mexico” after accusing it of allowing illegal immigrants to cross into the U.S.

He indicated his “zero tolerance” policy of prosecuting all illegal immigrants would continue, but families could remain together.

Meanwhile, officials say up to 20,000 children will be housed at military bases from July. It was unclear whether this will be for those crossing the border alone or to keep families together.

And a government official said 500 of the 2,300 children separated had been reunited.

Beata Mariana de Jesus Mejia-Mejia, 38, a Guatemalan, sued the U.S. government to get her child back. Less than a day after the order she was reunited with Darwin, 7, who was flown there from a shelter in Phoenix, Ariz. They had been separated for a month.

The mother said: “No one’s going to separate us again.”

Separated children have been sent to facilities across America and advocacy groups said some may never see their families again, describing the reunification process as a “labyrinth.”

One group representing 300 families said it had so far managed to locate only two children.