Donald Trump has signed an executive order calling for a “large physical barrier” between the US and Mexico – the order will jump-start the process of building the wall, which was one of the President’s primary campaign promises.
“So badly needed. You folks know how badly needed it is as a help… I believe the steps we will take, starting right now, will improve the safety of both of our countries,” Mr Trump said at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). “A nation without borders is not a nation. Beginning today, the United States gets back control of its borders – gets back its borders.”
He is also expected to take actions this week to limit legal immigration – including more rigorous restrictions to refugee acceptance (an already intense process) and blocking the issuance of visas to people from Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East and North Africa.
“Big day planned on national security tomorrow,” Mr Trump tweeted on Tuesday night. “Amoung [sic] many other things, we will build the wall.”
The President signed the orders during a ceremony at DHS headquarters, honouring the newly confirmed Gen John Kelly as director.
