Donald Trump has warned migrants making their way toward the U.S., that U.S. troops at the border would return fire if caravan members throw rocks at them.
Trump had yesterday announced that he plans to automatically deny asylum to migrants who try to enter the U.S. illegally between ports of entry.
Trump said in a White House speech he was ‘finalizing a plan to end the rampant abuse of our asylum system’.
Trump has already ordered thousands of troops to the southern border, and was asked after delivering a fiery speech at the White House whether he envisioned them firing on the people making there way approaching the border on foot.
‘I hope not. I hope not. It’s the military. I hope there won’t be that. But I will tell you this: Anybody throwing stones, rocks, like they did to Mexico and the Mexican military, Mexican police – where they badly hurt police and soldiers of Mexico – we will consider that a firearm,’ Trump warned.
‘Because there’s not much difference. When you get hit in the face with a rock. Which, as you know, it was very violent a few days ago. Very, very violent,’ he added.
This is an invasion and nobody’s really questioning that,’ the president added.
It was unclear whether the restrictions Trump was expected to propose would apply only to those traveling in the caravans or extend to all people trying to enter the country.
And it also was unclear whether Trump has the legal authority to change the rules. The asylum clause of the Immigration and Nationality Act notes that anyone who arrives to the U.S. may apply for asylum. And any change would almost certainly be immediately challenged in court.
