President Trump on Monday claimed without offering any evidence that “criminals and unknown Middle Easterners” are among the growing caravan of Central American migrants heading…
President Trump on Monday claimed without offering any evidence that “criminals and unknown Middle Easterners” are among the growing caravan of Central American migrants heading to the United States.
“Sadly, it looks like Mexico’s Police and Military are unable to stop the Caravan heading to the Southern Border of the United States. Criminals and unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in. I have alerted Border Patrol and Military that this is a National Emergy (sic). Must change laws!,” Trump wrote on Twitter, without clarifying what he meant.
His claim was quickly called out on the social messaging site.
“Total BS! You have no idea who is in this ‘caravan’ except Central Americans fleeing oppression and starvation. Why not show them some sympathy and ease their burden,” wrote westend999 on Twitter.
Another blamed Trump for spreading racial hatred.
“‘Unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in.’ Obviously all brown-skinned people look alike to you, you racist liar. But, hey, keep stoking hate,” Ellen Hopkins wrote.
Another user pointed out the absurdity of blending into the group only to wind up in an immigration camp.
“‘Unknown MIddle Easterners’? So, nondescript people from somewhere in the Middle East traveled and assimilitated into group of poor, hungry, huddled masses of refugees in Guatemala to make a 3000 mile journey only to end up in immigration camps in the US?,” wrote Thom W .
Trump also said the US will start to cut aid to the countries where the migrants are from.
“Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador were not able to do the job of stopping people from leaving their country and coming illegally to the U. S. We will now begin cutting off, or substantially reducing, the massive foreign aid routinely given to them,” he said.
He also continued to blame Democrats for the mass of migrants marching north – repeating a claim he’s made at numerous campaign rallies as he tried to fire up the Republican base before next month’s midterm elections.
“Every time you see a Caravan, or people illegally coming, or attempting to come, into our Country illegally, think of and blame the Democrats for not giving us the votes to change our pathetic Immigration Laws! Remember the Midterms! So unfair to those who come in legally.
The numbers of migrants that started out from Honduras last week have quickly swelled to as many as 7,000, the Los Angeles Times reported .
After being temporarily halted by Mexican police in riot gear as they tried to cross the Guatemalan border in Mexico, the group reorganized and vowed to march to the US border .
They say they are fleeing violence and poverty in Honduras and El Salvador and plan to seek asylum in the US.
On Sunday, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said her department would be keeping an eye on any criminal elements that were infiltrating the group as it traveled to the US.
“While we closely monitor the caravan crisis, we must remain mindful of the transnational criminal organizations and other criminals that prey on the vulnerabilities of those undertaking the irregular migration journey,” Nielsen said in a statement . “We fully support the efforts of Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico, as they seek to address this critical situation and ensure a safer and more secure region.”
Last week, Trump said he could mobilize the US military and shut down the border if the migrant group didn’t turn around.
