The Department of Homeland Security confirmed Sunday that US officials are “closely monitoring” the growing migrant caravan for gang members and drug cartels as it approaches the United States’ southern border with Mexico.
DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen released a statement over the weekend warning Americans of the threat posed by “transnational criminal organizations” that may seek to infiltrate the massive group of undocumented workers from Central America.
“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 shall work with our partners in the region to investigate and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law all who seek to encourage and profit from irregular migration,” she added.
The ‘migrant caravan’ is now estimated at 7,000 people and is expected to reach the United States border within days.
Read the full story at the Hill.
CARAVAN CHAOS: Migrant Caravan Swells to 7,000, Trump to CUT AID
The “migrant caravan” of undocumented workers from Central America swelled to 7,000 people over the weekend; crossing into Mexico as they slowly made their way towards the United States’ southern border.
According to the Daily Mail, Mexican authorities have been ineffective in cracking down on the caravan as they marched north, with President Trump vowing to cut-off aid to several nations should the migrants reach the United States.
“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,” tweeted the President.
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.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 22, 2018
“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,” wrote the President last week.
CARAVAN CHAOS: The President May ‘CALL UP MILITARY’ to 'Close' US-Mexico Border
President Trump doubled-down on his demands that Central American nations block the growing “migrant caravan” before it reaches the United States’ southern border Thursday; saying he may “call up the military” to stem the escalating crisis.
The Commander-in-Chief issued his direct warning to El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico on social media as the growing “caravan” passed through Guatemala and headed towards the US.
“In addition to stopping all payments to these countries, which seem to have almost no control over their population, I must, in the strongest of terms, ask Mexico to stop this onslaught – and if unable to do so I will call up the U.S. Military and CLOSE OUR SOUTHERN BORDER!” posted the President.
….In addition to stopping all payments to these countries, which seem to have almost no control over their population, I must, in the strongest of terms, ask Mexico to stop this onslaught – and if unable to do so I will call up the U.S. Military and CLOSE OUR SOUTHERN BORDER!..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 18, 2018
The “caravan” is now estimated at several thousand people and will likely reach the United States-Mexico border crossing in Tijuana within days.