TRUMP THREATENS TO PERMANENTLY SHUT BORDER WITH MEXICO

Donald Trump threatened to permanently close the Mexican border Monday after U.S. authorities used tear gas to stop migrants crossing into the country illegally.

Security forces arrested 42 people after a group of migrants in Tijuana, Mexico, broke away from a peaceful protest and ran toward the border fencing on Sunday. Guards used tear gas to force the crowd back and shut the crossing for several hours, although it was back open Monday.

Images of the incident showing women with children fleeing the fumes prompted some politicians and migrant rights advocates to criticize the Trump administration.

However the president defended the response, and insisted on the need to secure the border.

Tweeting about the incident, Trump called on the Mexican government to deport the migrants to their home countries and threatened to close the border for good.

“Mexico should move the flag-waving migrants, many of whom are stone cold criminals, back to their countries,” Trump wrote.

“Do it by plane, do it by bus, do it anyway you want, but they are not coming into the USA.

“We will close the Border permanently if need be. Congress, fund the wall!”