President Donald Trump referenced the refugee crisis plaguing Europe as a caravan of would-be illegal immigrants makes its way to the U.S. via Mexico, in a Wednesday tweet.
For those who want and advocate for illegal immigration, just take a good look at what has happened to Europe over the last 5 years. A total mess! They only wish they had that decision to make over again.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 24, 2018
We are a great Sovereign Nation. We have Strong Borders and will never accept people coming into our Country illegally!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 24, 2018
Trump has vowed to punish the governments of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador for failing to stop its citizens heading north. Trump has also faulted the government of Mexico for failing to stop the caravan of migrants and has publicly floated the idea of closing the U.S.-Mexico border as a last resort.
The caravan has swelled to nearly 6,000 people with the apparent intention of entering the U.S. and claiming asylum. Current U.S. law requires a lengthy asylum adjudication process and the Trump administration believes many migrants are using loopholes in U.S. law to illegally immigrate.
Vice President Mike Pence also revealed Tuesday that Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández told him that a migrant caravan approaching the U.S. southern border is being financed by Venezuela.