Trump: Europe a ‘total mess’ because of illegal immigration

President Trump on Wednesday said that Europe is a “total mess” because of illegal immigration, ramping up his rhetoric against immigrants as a caravan of Central American migrants makes its way through Mexico and toward the U.S. border. 

“For those who want and advocate for illegal immigration, just take a good look at what has happened to Europe over the last 5 years. A total mess! They only wish they had that decision to make over again,” Trump wrote in a tweet Wednesday morning.

{mosads}”We are a great Sovereign Nation. We have Strong Borders and will never accept people coming into our Country illegally!” he added in a second tweet.

For those who want and advocate for illegal immigration, just take a good look at what has happened to Europe over the last 5 years. A total mess! They only wish they had that decision to make over again.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 24, 2018

We are a great Sovereign Nation. We have Strong Borders and will never accept people coming into our Country illegally!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 24, 2018

Trump for days has worked to cast the thousands of migrants fleeing Central America as a national security threat to the U.S., and he has warned the migrants not to cross the border.

Trump has claimed that there are “criminals” within the caravan and has pointed to it as evidence that the U.S. has weak immigration laws. He has also threatened to cut off aid to Central American countries in response to the caravan.

Trump doubled down on his criticism of the caravan when speaking to reporters earlier this week, claiming that there are criminals and people of Middle Eastern descent among the migrants.

“You know what you should do, Jon? Go into the middle of the caravan, take your cameras and search,” Trump told ABC’s Jonathan Karl when asked if he has any evidence of those claims.

“You’re going to find MS-13, you’re going to find Middle Eastern, you’re going to find everything,” the president added. “And guess what? We’re not allowing them in our country. We want safety.”