by Henry Rodgers
President Donald Trump is reportedly considering shutting down the U.S. border from illegal immigrants trying to flee to the U.S. from Central America.
The Trump administration is drafting an executive order that would pause entry for immigrants traveling from countries in Central America due to national security risks. The administration is also considering sending around 1,000 troops to the U.S.-Mexico border, The Washington Post reported. This comes as a migrant caravan of nearly 10,000 people from Central America travels through Mexico, headed toward the U.S. for asylum.
“The administration is considering a wide range of administrative, legal and legislative options to address the Democrat-created crisis of mass illegal immigration. No decisions have been made at this time. Nor will we forecast to smugglers or caravans what precise strategies will be employed,” a White House official told NBC News.
News broke Thursday that Secretary of Defense James Mattis is expected to deploy hundreds of U.S. troops to the southern border to assist Border Patrol. Trump has repeatedly mentioned he will send U.S. troops to the southern border to stop the caravan, calling it a national emergency on Twitter Thursday.
While the exact plans have not been finalized, sources tell NBC News that Trump will have the executive order ready by next week.
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