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DONALD TRUMP WILL take a first step toward enacting his pledge to “build a wall” on the Mexican border by issuing an executive decree today.
The White House said Trump will visit the Department of Homeland Security in the afternoon, when he is expected to roll out a series of immigration-related measures.
“Big day planned on NATIONAL SECURITY tomorrow. Among many other things, we will build the wall!” Trump tweeted late yesterday.
Stemming immigration to the United States was a central plank of Trump’s election campaign.
His signature policy was to build a wall across the 2,000 mile (3,200 kilometer) border between the United States and Mexico.
Some of the border is already fenced, but Trump has argued that a wall is needed to stop illegal immigrants entering from Latin America.
Experts have voiced serious doubts about whether a wall would actually stem illegal immigration, or if it’s worth investing billions in such a project when there are other cost effective methods of achieving similar results.
But the issue has become a clarion call for the US right and far right, the core of Trump’s support.
Any action from the White House would be piecemeal, diverting only existing funds toward the project.
The Republican-controlled Congress would need to supply new money if the project is to be anywhere near completed, and Trump’s party has spent years preaching fiscal prudence.
Furthermore, much of the land needed to build the wall is privately owned, implying lengthy legal proceedings, political blowback, and substantial expropriation payments.
Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly even told his confirmation hearing that the border wall might not “be built anytime soon”.
Trump had promised to make Mexico pay for the wall, something that the Mexican government says is fanciful.
Trump aides have weighed increasing border tariffs or border transit costs as one way to “make Mexico pay”.
Ban on Muslims?
Trump has also floated the idea of a ban on Muslims coming to the United States.
He is said to be considering moves to halt or slow refugee flows, particularly from Syria and other Muslim-majority countries.
Around 4.8 million Syrians have fled to neighbouring countries alone, according to the United Nations.
An estimated 18,000 Syrians have fled to the United States.
Former officials said Trump could slow the process down by moving resources away from processing visa requests, or cut migrant quotas and programmes.
The orders would restrict immigration and access to the United States for refugees and visa holders from Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, according to the Washington Post.
Citizens from those countries already face large obstacles in obtaining US visas. However, the move has prompted a fierce backlash even before it was announced.
“Donald Trump is making good on the most shameful and discriminatory promises he made on the campaign trail,” said Trita Parsi of the National Iranian American Council. Iran was one of the countries that may be listed.
He called for a Muslim ban and is now taking the first steps to implement one. This will not stand. The American people are better than this.
Trump may also issue orders on so-called sanctuary cities, where local officials refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities on such things as handing over illegal immigrants for deportation.
Don’t think there’ll be much wailing or gnashing of teeth at their departure to cash in those juicy lotto style pensions
@Kevvy kerrr: stop being jealous and begrudging.
@Kevvy kerrr: ‘lotto style’. Same rules as any other public servant.
Adious and do continue the extravagant lifestyle courtesy of the tax-payers. ..
@Michale Kane: well deserved:)
Half of Fine Gael TDs afraid to go before the Irish people again but the government controlled media trying to tell us its Sinn Fein that are in crisis!!
@Kevin O Brien: they told 3 councillors in Kerry they couldn’t run, and parachuted another man who has never had any involvement in politics in as the sole candidate.
The original candidate for Fine gael is currently awaiting sentence for importing irelands largest ever consignment of crystal meth!
Running for the hills before the excrement hits the fan. Knowing full well that the weasels are in for a trouncing come election day.
@Marvin Dollery: no just retiring, perfectly normal :)
@Marvin Dollery: Well, you know they are not really in for a trouncing at all, FG & FF may well end up with 45–47% of the vote,– way ahead of SF , so we will have them back with support of some Independents .
Has our President congratulated Donald Trump yet. Or does 300 thousand jobs and billions in Tax not matter?
The journal trolls are doing a wonderful job in persuading readers to vote Sinn Féin. Keep up the good work John A Doe, John B Doe, John C Doe, John D Doe and all the other John Doe’s.
@Anthony Curran: Wouldn’t be getting my hopes up if I was you Anthony. Not a snowball’s chance in hell Mary Lou will be part of the next government. You’re in for Double disappointment this month on elections.
@Anthony Curran: you vermin are in for one hell of a beating this election :)
@J B: go raibh maith agat Kim jong un
@Paul M Doe: I do love blocking you clõwns. It’s therapeutic :)
fill in the blanks …..
shower of C_ _ _ Z
@Stiles: z..?
@Ciaran: S.
Bye bye please let every door door hit you on the way out.
Amazing how they all talk about work they wanted to get done and couldnt, I wonder how many on reflection could name one positive thing they have acheived? When the politicians come knocking on my door asking for votes I will have one question for them, what have you done to help me or benefit me, cant see my local doctor when I need to, waiting hours in hospital when you have to go in. Cant get my child enrolled in nearest school to me bevause it is full. FFG are esentially buying this election with hand outs.
Not a supporter ,,,but after all that time you given to the Dail you do deserve thanks enjoy retirement James
Thanks
The legacy of most of them, is that they fulfilled their own self interest, failed the people & while those with a conscience (minority) will have regrets, it will all be undone when they retire, gaining that massive Lump sum & pension, amongst the highest in World politics. Irish politics has failed, no more leaders of the calibre of Sean Lemass or Noel Browne to mention two, now we have PR Spin Merchants who have no problem shamelessly lying on air & have used this State to further their own political ambitions. They even have populated social media as we see here daily with “people” like Brendan, Kevin, Paul paid to control the narrative for them.
Congratulations to the wonderful FG patriots who served with honour. Enjoy your well deserved retirement :)
You know they are far from perfect neither am I but aren’t we all lucky that we were born in a reasonably safe part of the world.
Off they trot after a career with their noses in the trough. Leaving their stink behind after sh!tting all over us.
Don’t let your heavy pension hit you on the way out
JB I agree
@Dan Murphy: I don’t.
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