Trump takes additional steps to deny asylum for migrants
Warns caravan on rock throwing
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Thursday he would soon sign an executive order aimed at ending asylum for undocumented migrants to stop them from getting a “free pass” into the United States with “meritless claims,” and also aimed at automatically denying asylum to migrants who try to enter the U.S. illegally between ports of entry.
He also warned members of two migrant groups to put down their rocks — or else.
Mr. Trump also warned the caravan that he has ordered thousands of U.S. military troops to the southern border to assist law enforcement personnel in preventing them from touching American soil. At the same time, he said that, under his order, any migrants who do enter the country would be housed in “massive tent cities” he plans to build while their cases are processed. “We’re going to catch, we’re not going to release.”
Mr. Trump issued what was viewed as a not-soveiled threat, saying law enforcement and military personnel will treat rocks thrown by members of two migrant caravans approaching the U.S.-Mexico border as “a firearm.”
He did not say whether American personnel and troops would be cleared to fire on any rock-throwers. Video and photographs chronicling two groups’ march from Central America through Mexico have captured some caravan members hurling rocks at Mexican security officials. Mr. Trump claims some have been badly injured, though there are scant media reports from the ground of widespread-rock-caused wounds.
Mr. Trump made those announcement and threats during an impromptu question-and-answer session with reporters after remarks on immigration and an approaching Central American caravan that mostly repeated claims and statements he has made in the last few weeks.
He said his administration “is finalizing” a plan to end asylum for undocumented migrants, which wouldbe implemented when he signs any order. He has before said he would take a proposed action in the next calendar week only for those things to be delayed weeks, months or simply put back on the shelf seemingly in perpetuity.
But the Roosevelt Room event featured one more immigration-related announcement sure to rankle Democratic lawmakers and candidates — and likely some moderate Republicans.
“We will hold them, for a long time if we have to,” Mr. Trump said of migrants who enter the United States illegally and without a legitimate asylum request.
U.S. immigration laws currently allow migrants to seek asylum no matter how they arrive in the U.S.