Donald Trump says Republicans 'should stop wasting their time on immigration' in early morning Twitter rant

'Dems are just playing games, have no intention of doing anything to solves (sic) this decades old problem'

Donald Trump has said Republicans should ignore America's immigration crisis until after November's midterm elections, in an early morning Twitter rant attacking Democrats.

"Republicans should stop wasting their time on Immigration until after we elect more Senators and Congressmen/women in November," he said. "Dems are just playing games, have no intention of doing anything to solves (sic) this decades old problem. We can pass great legislation after the Red Wave!"

Mr Trump has repeatedly blamed Democrats over immigration issues, including falsely claiming his policy of separating migrant children from their parents was a law introduced by the Obama administration.

Following widespread condemnation, the US president was forced to back down and signed an executive order ending the practice of separating families at the US border with Mexico.

Despite Republican control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, the party's slim 51-49 majority in the latter chamber makes some Democratic support necessary to pass most legislation.

On Friday morning, he railed against what he perceived as "obstruction" by Democratic senators who disagree with his immigration policies.

"Even if we get 100% Republican votes in the Senate, we need 10 Democrat votes to get a much needed Immigration Bill - & the Dems are Obstructionists who won’t give votes for political reasons & because they don’t care about Crime coming from Border!" he wrote on Twitter. "So we need to elect more R’s!"

"Elect more Republicans in November and we will pass the finest, fairest and most comprehensive Immigration Bills anywhere in the world. Right now we have the dumbest and the worst. Dems are doing nothing but Obstructing. Remember their motto, RESIST! Ours is PRODUCE!"

The House on Thursday rejected a bill favoured by conservatives that would have halted the practice of splitting up families and addressed a range of other immigration issues.

The bill was defeated in a 231-193 vote, with 41 Republicans joining the opposition. The House also postponed, likely until next week, a vote on a more moderate bill in order to try to drum up more support.

Both bills have received backing from Mr Trump, but are opposed by Democrats and immigration advocacy groups. They would fund a wall Mr Trump has proposed along the border with Mexico and also reduce legal migration.

Additional reporting by Reuters.