Trump may shut US govt again
Move to follow if border wall doesn’t get support ■
Bridgewater ( New Jesey), July 29: President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he’d be willing to shut down the government if Democrats refuse to vote for changes he seeks to the US immigration system, including building a wall along the US- Mexico border.
“I would be willing to ‘ shut down’ government if the Democrats do not give us the votes for Border Security, which includes the Wall!” Mr Trump tweeted. “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!” Mr Trump said.
Mr Trump campaigned on the promise of building a border wall to deter illegal immigration. Congress has given him some funding but not as much as he has requested. Mr Trump also wants changes to legal immigration, including scrapping a visa lottery programme. In addition, he wants to end the practice of releasing immigrants caught entering the country illegally on the condition that they show up for court hearings.
Mr Trump has also demanded that the US shift to an immigration system that’s based more on merit and less on family ties.
Democrats and some Republicans have objected to some of the changes Mr Trump seeks.
The federal budget year ends on Septembner 30, and lawmakers will spend much of August in their states campaigning for reelection in November.