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As it happenedended

Trump press conference: President announces 'violence' from caravan will be met with radical military response

Remarks come as caravan of refugees and migrants makes its way slowly to the US-Mexico border

Andrew Buncombe
New York
,Chris Stevenson
Thursday 01 November 2018 18:53 EDT
Comments
Donald Trump: military to 'consider it a rifle' if rocks thrown by immigrants

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Donald Trump has suggested stone-throwing migrants making it to the US-Mexico border might be shot by the US military, as he unveiled a proposal to limit the right to apply for asylum.

In a speech at the White House filled with several falsehoods, the president said he was seeking to limit asylum claims only to those who applied at legal entry points. He claimed the move was necessary because a series of migrant caravans – still up to a 1,000 miles from the border – was considered by some people to be “an invasion”.

“Asylum is not a programme for those living in poverty. There are billions of people in the world living at the poverty level. The United States cannot possibly absorb them all,” he said.

Mr Trump has ramped up his tough stance on illegal immigration, an issue that appeals to his core supporters, before crucial midterm elections on Tuesday that will decide if his Republican Party keep control of Congress.

“Asylum is a very specific protection based on those fleeing persecution.”

The migrants making their way northwards have come largely from El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, all of which suffer from poverty and high levels of violence.

He said some had thrown stones at, and attacked Mexican police and troops – a reference to clashes between Mexican security forces and up to 1,500 migrants at the Guatemala-Mexico border, that left one migrant dead. Meanwhile, even as the number of migrants attached to the original caravan continues to dwindle, a third group of around 500 migrants from El Salvador entered Guatemala last weekend.

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“I hope there won’t be that. But I will tell you this, anybody throwing stones, rocks like they did to Mexico … Where they badly hurt police and soldiers of Mexico – we will consider that a firearm,” the president said.

“Because there’s not much difference when you get hit in the face with a rock.”

If you want to see how the press conference unfolded please see our live coverage below

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The president calls it a "perilous situation" and talks about the economic successes under his leadership - that will make the situation worse.

Chris Stevenson1 November 2018 20:24

He calls the three caravans heading towards the US border an "invasion" - again.

"Some people call it an invasion, it is an invasion"

Chris Stevenson1 November 2018 20:24

He dehumanises the caravan, says it "violently overrun" the Mexico border - which is just not true.

Chris Stevenson1 November 2018 20:25

Mr Trump says that Mexico police have been injured, meaning people are violent. 

In truth any injuries were a tiny part of the caravan moving into Mexico.

Chris Stevenson1 November 2018 20:26

Mr Trump says those in the caravan are not seeking "protection" as Mexico has said it will take those seeking asylum in.

He offers no evidence that many fleeing violence in Central America would not be seeking asylum.

Chris Stevenson1 November 2018 20:27

Mr Trump says he will "catch" those that come across illegal and will not be released before any deportation trials.

He is referring to the "catch and release" practice of letting people turn up to trials at a later date.

Chris Stevenson1 November 2018 20:29

Mr Trump claims that record-keeping on illegal immigration has not been great and says that there could be millions of people in the US illegally.

He calls the caravans "professional" and "organised"

Chris Stevenson1 November 2018 20:31

He claims that a deportation case takes three and a half years - he calls them a "laughing-stock" around the world.

Chris Stevenson1 November 2018 20:32

"All told there are approximately 1m aliens that have been issued 'final orders of removal'," Mr Trump claims.

He says it makes a "mockery" of the system.

I have not had a chance to fact-check that number. 

Chris Stevenson1 November 2018 20:34

Mr Trump calls it "a giant flow of illegal migration" to the southern border. An example of the type of exaggeration that Mr Trump is known for.

Chris Stevenson1 November 2018 20:35

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