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Trump struggles for a plan should the migrant caravan arrive

63 Comments
By COLLEEN LONG

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Some in Trump's administration, like Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, advocate for a diplomatic approach using relationships with Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador and the United Nations to stop the flow of migrants arriving to the U.S.

Well, I guess there's one other adult in the White House in addition to Kelly and Mattis. 

Tensions boiled over last week, when Nielsen suggested going to the United Nations Committee on Human Rights in a meeting with White House chief of staff John Kelly. National security adviser John Bolton, a longtime critic of the U.N., exploded over the idea, the officials and people said. Nielsen responded that Bolton, not a frequent attendant of the immigration meetings, was no expert on the topic, they said.

Ah, Bolton - the definitive far-right wing nut - and a member of the rest of the White House kindergarten...

Trump tweeted: "Sadly, it looks like Mexico's Police and Military are unable to stop the Caravan heading to the Southern Border of the United States." He said he had alerted Border Patrol and the military and called for a change in laws, and said that people of Middle Eastern descent had joined the group.  He later acknowledged that his claim was only a hunch.  "They could very well be," he said. "There's no proof of anything. But there could very well be."

And the most embarrassing is left to be said by the Great Orange Man-Child himself - "I have no proof but it very well could be...."   He never has proof - he doesn't know what proof is.  But Robert Mueller will show him what proof is very soon...

13 ( +14 / -1 )

I thought he was going to build a big fence or some such insanity...

9 ( +12 / -3 )

and said that people of Middle Eastern descent had joined the group. He later acknowledged that his claim was only a hunch. "They could very well be," he said. "There's no proof of anything. But there could very well be."

Oh no! Those people might be in the group.

Trump certainly knows the fear his base has with Muslims and is trying to leverage that to his advantage.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Why isn't the media digging into the possibility that Trump's administration is behind the caravan?  The timing of its formation right before the mid-terms seems totally suspect to me.

I’m forming a caravan to march across the Canadian border. Anyone else seeking refugee status from Crazytown?

6 ( +9 / -3 )

 Waving their own country’s flags and chanting we can’t stop them. There’s no way else to look at that but as a foreign invasion. 

It's a failing of mine but precisely how I feel about the US military and right-wing MAGA Americans in Japan.

They’re putting themselves and their families at risk. They’ve been warned.

Thinly-veiled cowardly threats against migrants may be all the rage these days but the fact remains, they are the backbone of your country and many others. And if America can afford to enrich it's richest, it can afford a few thousand more people looking to better their lives.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

He said he had alerted Border Patrol and the military and called for a change in laws, and said that people of Middle Eastern descent had joined the group. He later acknowledged that his claim was only a hunch. "They could very well be," he said. "There's no proof of anything. But there could very well be."

This is beyond ridiculous. There is an argument to be had about the best way to deal with this, but Trump’s unfounded, rancid drivel is a disgrace.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

On an official Bolton's Boys Groundswell memorandum it was suggested that more than a few should gather along the border where Mexico is going to build a wall, and be prepared to beat the b'jeezus - in the name of God.

Trump & Bolton together, making decisions affecting millions, guarantees US continues it's slippery slide into the swamp it seeks to drain.

There will be no victory - just a decades long quagmire to cleanse.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

What's the republican plan for dealing with this caravan should it reach the border? Republicans control the entire federal government yet can't come up with a plan to deal with this. ROFL. Smh. Oh my. Har.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

I’m forming a caravan to march across the Canadian border. Anyone else seeking refugee status from Crazytown?

Me! We can get funding from the Trump Organization. I just read a news report that proved the Trump Org. is funding the caravan through mexico in order to whip up enthusiasm amongst republican voters.

If you disagree that the Trump Organization didn't organize, and isn't funding this caravan; prove it.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Yes there is an asylum process. And it is an individual activity with individual determinations of eligibility.. that doesn’t not involve passing through other countries and showing up at the border with 10,000 others at the same time.

Asylum is also not for economic opportunity as numerous caravan members been quoted as the reason why they are coming.

many young males left their families, women and children, behind. How dangerous can it be there if they chose to do that.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

What baseless claims?

Trump claimed there could be middle eastern people trying to get into the US via Mexico. There is absolutely zero evidence ( not for the first time ) for this claim.

Is it now acceptable for the US president to make these kinds of claims with zero evidence?

Why did he do it?

Does he think there are people out there stupid enough to accept this baseless trash and is that not an insult to the people in his base?

Why are Trump supporters determined to avoid calling out this appalling habit of his?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Black:. There is nothing violent about denying entry to people who aren’t allowed to be somewhere and sending them back to where they came from.

There is an asylum process thar you can't just decide to ignore. Ask Stephen Miller, the hardliner looking to shut down immigration in the US.

That's how his family came to America. Kind of ironic that if we had said NO to his family then he wouldn't be here saying NO to others, ne?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

this is an invasion.

the media exploits the women and children for photo ops so they can make money.

calling this a "caravan" is fake news.

children are being abused.

the migrants will sacrifice each other the first chance they get, kind of like speaking to someone on an airplane only to elbow past them on the way to customs.

this is a doomed experiment.

the dead will not be remembered.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

It would be nice if gor once media reported without liberal bias. Trump has a hardline on illegal aliens entering the country nit legal immigration, so the article is pushing fake news when it says this is immigration. These people are also not migrants nor refugees. Refugees are felling nothing when they sre proudly waving the flag of the place they left and they are not migrants when they are burning the flag of the place they are attempting to invade. And where is the journalism? How, about some investigative reporting on just how 10000 supposedly poor people magically have the money to arrange for a million dollars worth of food to feed all these people for 45 days and the fuel for the vehicles being used? It's 1200 miles or more, it's not as if mexico is a tiny country where the north and south border are a nature hike distance apart. So journalists, why no look into who is organizing this invasion?

3 ( +6 / -3 )

No foreigners from anywhere on the planet have a right to enter the U.S. without getting permission first.

That’s right! We were here first! And we got permission from the natives.

Oh, right. Anyway, they were savages. What’s a few thousand years of habitation worth? Pfff......

The fact that the entire southwestern portion of the US was stolen from Mexico is old history. We should forget about that.

White (and orange) people are best. We know how to set the rules and make good culture. Just ask Steven Miller and Steve Bannon.

Send these poor suffering sad sacks back where they belong!

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Trump said the exact same thing that Obama said about illegals. But hey whatever promotes the #OrangeManBad narrative

Did Obama come up with baseless claims about illegals?

Is it now acceptable to make these kind of claims?

Nobody willing to post a link with a sliver of proof to back up Trump’s idiotic drivel? Not even a headbanger in a basement? Fox News?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

See if you can find anything he says that doesn't make sense.

Does he offer any evidence for Trump’s claim about illegals or does the man in your link just need some sunshine, a bath, a shave and more effective medication?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

A mass airlift back to their own country in a squadron of C-5 Galaxy airlifters, 4 hrs flight time with water and Big Macs, awarded with a permanent ban from ever entering the U.S. for each and every one of the invaders should deter any future mobile mob invasion.

All of this vitriol and the left is accused of inciting violence. Wow.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

If Trump pays for a wall on the Mexican side then it should help to stop the caravan.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

But Trump not having an effective plan and just blowing hot air is nothing new to me. He's all bark no bite... and lacking true brains to solve a problem like this.

Now I would on the other hand advocate for law enforcement and border agents to be buffed up with national guard assistance to show that the US isn't kidding about illegal entry. But idiot cut taxes so up goes some more deficit. If Mexico wanted to show it was up to snuff, they'd also beef up security near the borders as well, which would show good will and respect.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Black:. Yes there is an asylum process. And it is an individualactivity with individual determinations of eligibility.. that doesn’t not involve passing through other countries and showing up at the border with 10,000 others at the same time.

So 10,000 people show up and they are evaluated individually. What's the problem?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Reality says, they don't get a free pass just because they don't like their own country. Period.

The US is not obligated to take them in "just because".

@Toasted & Superlib, these are NOT the 1800s~early 1900s. "Immigration" was extremely different back then, even when the colonizers from Great Britain came to the US the global population was exceptionally low and probably was no more than a billion~1.5 billion human beings in the entire world.

And don't even try and counter with "well you're ancestors were immigrants too" because my forebears weren't really given a choice to come to the US.

Most people in this era have a choice, the leaders and governments of their countries have choices and are obviously inept at making choices that uplift their countries to better standards of living. The US is not responsible for people from other countries, it is responsible for US citizens, legal immigrants, and those who visit legally. Same goes for every other country in the world. The US does not owe these people anything.

It's extremely easy to tell others to open their homes up to everyone, but can you do it yourselves?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Is anyone suggesting how many of these unfortunate people should be able to resettle in the USA. Is it an infinite number or should they just be allowed to keep coming for years to come. Who is going to be providing them with the necessities that they will need? Will it fall on the Salvation Army or other charities? Those people who advocate unlimited numbers being able to come don't say much about these practical aspects.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

There's an American TV series called "The Last Ship" that interestingly has South American Countries banding together to invade the US. I wonder if Trump's watching it ?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

suggested that the administration make a "third party" agreement with Mexico that would force any caravan members seeking asylum to do so in their country of arrival — Mexico. The Republican lawmakers said the process already works that way in Europe.

Don't think it works 'that' well tbh. Imo it's unfair to expect Spain, Malta, Greece, Turkey, Italy etc and, in this case, Mexico, to deal with all migrants heading north simply because they're the first 'safe' country migrants reach during their journey. All parties -including source countries- should share the burden of illegal immigration.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Jesus was a refugee. The religious types aren't showing much compassion, though.

Just think, that particular family would be demonised and locked up today.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Middleclass patriotic Americans of all ethnicities are the backbone of America. Not the people who simply want to rape the system. The middleclass who fund the leftist agenda--i.e., welfare, driver's

This statement has no basis in reality.

I might as well say you have no business in Japan, adding nothing but stereotypical nonsense.

But that would one-sided and purely my opinion, only.

A few thousand migrants are not going to affect you, or anyone else here. Despite what the liar-in-chief spouts before the mid-terms.

But food will fall on the floor, be rotten, etc, and they'll say it's ok, it's for gringos

None of my people ever did this, over generations. Your comment is disingenous and at the very least, yet more incitement to hatred.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

A mass airlift back to their own country in a squadron of C-5 Galaxy airlifters, 4 hrs flight time with water and Big Macs, awarded with a permanent ban from ever entering the U.S. for each and every one of the invaders should deter any future mobile mob invasion.

For right-wingers and the foreign military invaders in Japan?

Sure, I'll donate to that.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

It would be nice if gor once media reported without liberal bias. Trump has a hardline on illegal aliens entering the country nit legal immigration, so the article is pushing fake news when it says this is immigration. These people are also not migrants nor refugees. Refugees are felling nothing when they sre proudly waving the flag of the place they left and they are not migrants when they are burning the flag of the place they are attempting to invade. And where is the journalism? How, about some investigative reporting on just how 10000 supposedly poor people magically have the money to arrange for a million dollars worth of food to feed all these people for 45 days and the fuel for the vehicles being used? It's 1200 miles or more, it's not as if mexico is a tiny country where the north and south border are a nature hike distance apart. So journalists, why no look into who is organizing this invasion?

110% on the mark, I totally agree!

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Trump administration unable to handle anything. When will the American people insist on their ouster?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

And you can tell you're dealing with entitled right wingers when they jaw on about migrants in restaurants and make up tales of hating America. Ingrained bigotry and not so subtle tropes

But so many do in their adoptive country, so I feel if you don’t like it, you don’t have to stay. No one is forcing you to stay.

Apart from growing membership, support of Trump and increasing attacks irl and online on those who speak out about how America is in decline due to white nationalism

The KKK will never be as big as it was back in the 1920s why is it the left keep perpetuating this garbage, their irrelevant, their numbers will never be what it was 90 years ago.

Not sure what that has to do with your diatribe against Central Americans but ok, sure, rich white males are the oppressors. Poor, marginalised, ignored white males tend not to be.

What about the White ruling class in Latin countries that have all the money and power?

The homeless who were sneered at here only the other day because they had tats.

What’s wrong with that? Not everyone likes tats. So yes, some people will sneer.

The voters who thought they could make a difference by misguidedly voting for Trump Inc.

You see, the left never learn, it’s like making comments like that tick people off. I felt people were misguided and ignorant for voting for the last President, but that was my personal opinion, but everyone has a right to vote how they wish, but when you have a two time loser like Hillary say it, she’s just proves Trump voters right they they made the right choice.

It's easier to divide and conquer but when the people realise what the elite are doing to all of them - then America will truly be great. For the first time in its history.*

What? ROFL

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Here is the ONE thing he WILL NOT do: process those asylum-seekers in the normal way.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

If? They're headed this way en masse & only growing in number..with probably drug money & more hiding there.

Here's an incredibly new idea: invest in the security & development of their countries; an experiment hardly tested. They'd stay home, live in peace, etc.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@Seadog, yeah, we're talking about more than the piddly 5,000~7,000 over the course of a year from just the Honduras. We're talking about hundreds of thousands a YEAR. It's gone down apparently, but it apparently used to be almost half a million a year.

https://www.ice.gov/removal-statistics/2015

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Wow, so many entitlements here! I hear "arguments" for these poor souls trying to get to the US because their country is so gosh darned bad they feel the need to make a beeline (completely ignoring other optional nations in the area) towards a place through illegitimate means where it's being broadcast that they're not welcome unless they go the right way. AKA follow the laws and due process for entry into the US. There is no "right" to entry just because... "I wanna!"

Yes the countries they're leaving is responsible for this, and I've always said that should be the focus of getting on the backs of the leaders/governments of said countries. And be more strict on how financial aid is dispensed and set goals and requirements for those countries to meet before they get anything.

It's real simple, stop them at the border. Process them and most likely they'll be sent back because it's not a war zone. Just corruption and crime... like Chicago and Detroit.

As I said, the US can't effectively take care of it's own. How's the aggressive pan handling in California and Seattle going again due to excessive homelessness? I'd prefer to take care of problems already here first instead of taking on more before that's done.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Yes there could be Middle East people or terrorists or criminals or gang members in this caravan. Its exactly the point, we don’t know who these people are.

100 ISIS were arrested in Honduras. Who is to say some of them were not arrested and joined the caravan. People from numerous terrorism supporting countries have been arrested at our southern border.

https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2018-Jul/usbp-nationwide-apps-sector-citizenship-fy07-fy17.pdf

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Spitting on, punching, blocking traffic, beating people up, trampling the first amendment--you know, the staples of the left

Lying, advocating violence, spreading fake news, bigotry and poison, killing protesters and villifying women and minorities. Announcing to posters that they will be crushed because they disagree with the far right,

This is America.

Actually, not fair on the millions of decent Americans - this is AmeriKKKa.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

See if you can find anything he says that doesn't make sense.

Jimizo: "Does he offer any evidence for Trump’s claim about illegals or does the man in your link just need some sunshine, a bath, a shave and more effective medication?"

That's a no, then.

"Trump claimed there could be middle eastern people trying to get into the US via Mexico. There is absolutely zero evidence ( not for the first time ) for this claim."

Trump didn't say there are Middle Eastern people in this caravan, he's simply pointing out that we don't know who they are and there could be. Aside from the fact that probably none of these people have even ever applied for permission to enter the U.S.

Oh my...

The Corporatist Legacy Media Says Border Control and Nation States are Xenophobic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPY8jaiBeJ4

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

So 10,000 people show up and they are evaluated individually. What's the problem?

Funny and rich coming from a super liberal. Sadly misguided.

If 20 cruise ships with 10,000 "refugees" docked in Yokohama, waving their flags, burning the hinomaru, then have women and children lead several thousand military age males down the gangplank, what do you think will happen?

How about to a lesser degree, what would happen if 10 refugees showed up in your apartment or backyard?

President Trump's job is to keep America safe, first and foremost. Political correctness do not apply in an invasion.

Legal immigration, properly vetted and waiting in line, yes.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

I. Don't. Care.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

A serious mess. It can be only be viewed as an invasion. In any country with a solid infrastructure in any part of the world would this not be tolerated. The law must be upheld. Stand your ground America. Enough is enough.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Because of the "stance" on immigration, it is difficult not to make this a political issue in the US as it is a value issue, social issue, economic issue, security issue, legal issue.., on and on and finally an international issue as it will inevitably for what ever reason end up a physical confrontation issue which the entire world will be waiting to see and eventually judge.

Immediate action such as taking away aid to countries "purposely" sending such migrants may or may not reduce the numbers, but it is obvious that it is prelude to an "invasion" which cannot be ignored. It is the same kind of tactic used in Europe by the so called refugees but with a much more international publicity and interest as it is "against" the USA. That is because the US has been the primary "promoter" of "human rights".

It is a "difficult" decision to make, but nothing to "struggle" about. Ultimately, Trump must "protect" the US. The decision is to determine if it is an intentional invasion or not. The action if at the border will inevitably be physical. If at the border there are only a few options and both sides will "lose".

Odd that the idea of not accepting illegal and undocumented immigrants and refugees into the US were strongly voiced by former Presidents Clinton and Obama and yet only the Republicans and the people that will be affected by the massive invasion are concerned and want action to stop the massive heretofore undetermined group of "supposed" refugees. Just because they come from a poor and somewhat oppressed country does not mean that they are actually "refugees" that may enter the US.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

You can already tell when someone spells America with a triple k, you're dealing with an indoctrinated social warrior.

And you can tell you're dealing with entitled right wingers when they jaw on about migrants in restaurants and make up tales of hating America. Ingrained bigotry and not so subtle tropes.

The kkk has been irrelevant for years.

Apart from growing membership, support of Trump and increasing attacks irl and online on those who speak out about how America is in decline due to white nationalism.

But i know the Marxist professor said a country with borders is oppression, white males are the default oppressor.

Not sure what that has to do with your diatribe against Central Americans but ok, sure, rich white males are the oppressors. Poor, marginalised, ignored white males tend not to be. The homeless who were sneered at here only the other day because they had tats. The voters who thought they could make a difference by misguidedly voting for Trump Inc. It's easier to divide and conquer but when the people realise what the elite are doing to all of them - then America will truly be great. For the first time in its history.

Anyone who still spells America with a triple k clearly thinks America is mired in the racism of the

Possibly a reaction to those who live in their gated communites and segregated ivory towers? Who are blind to injustice and prejudice. Besides,

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

I'm pretty sure he knows how to handle it. While I expect the response will be firm, I hope he does not follow the Israeli model of tear gas and snipers.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

I have zero tolerance for illeagals.

And I have zero tolerance for embittered rich people who have never known poverty or desperation, who have never had to flee their country in search of a better life for their families.

Unless, that's what you have done, in which case - I can make an exception.

But the type who are lucky & privileged to travel and live wherever they so wish (and oh, no - fill out forms) and have the audacity to sneer and lie about less well off migrants?

No sympathy at all.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Lying, advocating violence,

So why does the left keep doing it.

spreading fake news, bigotry and poison,

So why does the msm keep doing this?

killing protesters and villifying women and minorities.

Killing protesters? So far over the last 18 months it’s the liberals that have been on a meltdown rampage the left doesn’t want borders, they think illegals have the right to enter the country when they don’t. Granting asylum is not mandatory or a right.

Announcing to posters that they will be crushed because they disagree with the far right,

They should be, if you get in someone’s face and harass them, they have every right to counter any aggression that violates or encroaches in their private space. I don’t believe in violence to start any disagreement, but I support it if you threaten or get into someone’s face and threaten them. The left think they can bully people and people just have to take it?

This is America.

Sadly, the left has taken on an extreme Marxist platform, very dangerous.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

There is nothing violent about denying entry to people who aren’t allowed to be somewhere and sending them back to where they came from.

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

Trump struggles for a plan should the migrant caravan arrive - Headline

A foreign invasion it isn't an easy issue to deal with and President Trump will be harshly criticized by the fake news left-wing media no matter what.

But what a wake up call, which just killed all hopes of that wishful socialist blue wave that never was.

Do the right thing, Mr. President: Protect the Country and its Citizens. Just as Japan, Australia and the rest of the world are protecting their own.

A mass airlift back to their own country in a squadron of C-5 Galaxy airlifters, 4 hrs flight time with water and Big Macs, awarded with a permanent ban from ever entering the U.S. for each and every one of the invaders should deter any future mobile mob invasion.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

If the caravan makes it to the border, Mexico is going to be in a heap of trouble.

Can't China divert some of the ships they're currently using to assert themselves in disputed areas of the South China Sea to the coast of Mexico to pick up these migrants and take them to China? That would go a ways to repair their image. Only problem is probably none of the migrants want to go to China - they all want to go to the U.S. where they know life would be sooooooo much better than in China.....

Migrants crossing the U.S. border illegally will be processed, prosecuted and returned to Central America, says Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFeTyWzeW3A

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

What baseless claims? These people plan to enter the USA illegally and expect to have employment to send money back home.

Did Obama come up with baseless claims about illegals?

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Trump said the exact same thing that Obama said about illegals. But hey whatever promotes the #OrangeManBad narrative

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

"Thinly-veiled cowardly threats against migrants"

We're not threatening them, we're warning them, don't try to enter our country illegally.

"And if America can afford to enrich it's richest, it can afford a few thousand more people looking to better their lives."

Cripes, we've already got at least 12 million illegals, probably way more than that. Can't China take them in?

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

This is a winner for the Republicans as the Midterm voting is about to arrive.

-9 ( +5 / -14 )

No foreigners from anywhere on the planet have a right to enter the U.S. without getting permission first. Waving their own country’s flags and chanting we can’t stop them. There’s no way else to look at that but as a foreign invasion. No country would tolerate that and we won’t either. We won’t be held responsible for their injuries either should they try to bull rush through our border like they did with Mexico. They’re putting themselves and their families at risk. They’ve been warned.

Stop all aid to Mexico and Central America and put that money into the wall. Do the same with Sanctuary Cities.....no more money for them either!

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

This is a winner for the Republicans as the Midterm voting is about to arrive.

Most definitely, we have our own to worry about and we don't need to stress our resources to the max for these people, entering into the US is a privilege not a mandatory.

-12 ( +7 / -19 )

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