President Trump criticized Mexico on Tuesday for doing “nothing” to help address the increased flow of illegal immigrants and asylum seekers into the U.S., as his administration continues to face pressure to end a policy that has contributed to family separations at the border.
“Mexico does nothing for us,” Trump said, noting that many migrants “come up through Mexico” on their way to ports of entry at the Southwest border.
“They have very strong laws. Try staying in Mexico for a couple days. See how long that lasts,” Trump said at an event marking the 75th anniversary of the National Federation of Independent Business.
Trump continued to defend his administration against criticism of its “zero tolerance” policy, which calls for the prosecution of all individuals entering the country illegally, claiming congressional Democrats are primarily at fault.
“We have to get the Democrats to go ahead and work with us because as a result of Democratic loopholes in our laws, most illegal families who arrive at the border cannot be detained together,” he said, adding that U.S. officials have seen a 425 percent increase under his administration in human smuggling or attempted smuggling of families into the country.
“We can either release all illegal immigrant families and minors … or we can arrest the adults for the federal crime of illegal entry. Those are the only two options: totally open borders or criminal prosecution for lawbreaking,” Trump told the crowd.
The president’s remarks came hours before he was scheduled to meet with House Republicans to discuss two legislative fixes to illegal immigration and the practice of family separation.
