Trump compares US-Mexico border to Disneyland and calls end to family separations a disaster
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Donald Trump has said drug cartels are “in total control of the Mexico side of the Southern Border” as he orders sweeping reforms to the US's immigration system.
The plans introduced in a memo by attorney-general William Barr and acting homeland security secretary Kevin McAleenan would see impoverished asylum seekers required to pay a fee to have their applications and work permits processed and migrants who have attempted to enter the US illegally prevented from receiving employment authorisation before any relief or protection is granted.
The president is meanwhile suing Deutsche Bank and Capital One to prevent them complying with House subpoenas and handing over records of his financial dealings with them as former adviser Roger Stone appeared in court Tuesday.
Stone, a longtime confidant of Mr Trump, appeared for a brief status conference after being charged in Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation with lying to Congress, obstruction and witness tampering.
His attorneys want to be able to view the full report as they prepare for trial. Material relating to Stone’s case was blacked out in the report.
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Jonathan Kravis, an assistant US attorney, says the government has no obligation to provide the information Stone seeks. He says prosecutors have already given Stone significant information, including grand jury testimony and material that may be favourable to his defence.
The president also met with Democratic leaders Tuesday, with Chuck Schumer describing there being “good will” to work together.
Nancy Pelosi and congressional Democrats had asked for the meeting with Mr Trump to discuss launching an ambitious building program that’s a top priority for the party and has been a rare area of potential bipartisan accord with Republicans. Mr Trump, too, has long promised a big infrastructure plan.
The dozen Democratic lawmakers in the meeting with the president called it a constructive start. They said Mr Trump agreed that infrastructure investments should go beyond roads and bridges and include broadband, water systems, and enhancements to the electrical grid.
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