Donald Trump says 'our country is full' during US-Mexico border visit

Jacob Jarvis6 April 2019

US President Donald Trump declared "our country is full" as he insisted the country's immigration system was overburdened during a visit to the Mexican border.

Mr Trump, who still wants to build a mammoth wall between his nation and Mexico, also branded some asylum claims "a hoax".

Speaking while visiting a refurbished section of fencing at the Mexican border in California, he said: "There is indeed an emergency on our southern border.

"It's a colossal surge and it's overwhelming our immigration system, and we can't let that happen.

"We can't take you anymore. We can't take you. Our country is full."

President Trump also said some asylum claims were 'hoaxes' 
REUTERS

Mr Trump went on to downplay the claims of people seeking asylum at the border as he spoke in Calexico.

He claimed many of those attempting to enter are gang members and comparing some of their efforts to special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 elections.

"It's a scam, it's a hoax," Mr Trump said. "I know about hoaxes. I just went through a hoax."

The comments come after Mr Trump threatened to shut down the border over the high numbers of migrants trying to enter the US.

The President is continuing to call for more funding for building a border wall
AFP/Getty Images

He looked to somewhat backtrack on these comments and said on Friday it was because Mexico had been tougher in stopping an influx of immigrants from moving north.

"Mexico has been absolutely terrific for the last four days," the president said as he left the White House. "I never changed my mind at all. I may shut it down at some point."

Mr Trump continues to pursue his move for a border wall, which was a key campaign promise during his 2016 presidential run.

As Air Force One touched down in California, the state and 19 others suing the President over his emergency declaration to build a border wall requested a court order to stop money from being diverted to fund the project.

Amid long-running disputes and lengthy government shutdowns, Congress has approved just under $1.4 billion for work on border barricades.

However, Mr Trump is adamant on receiving more and has asserted he can use his powers as chief executive to transfer an additional $6.7 billion to wall construction.

The southern border is nearly 2,000 miles long and already has about 650 miles of barriers.

These are made up of sections including short vehicle barricades and tall steel fences that go up to 30 feet high.

The president has yet to complete any new mileage of fencing or other barriers anywhere on the border but declared on Friday that at least 400 miles of the border barrier would be erected over the next two years.

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