New migrant 'caravan' heading to US: Trump

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - President Donald Trump warned Tuesday of a "big new" group of migrants coming to the U.S. from Latin America as he continues to insist on funding for a border wall in order to reopen the federal government.

Trump said the newest "caravan" is coming from Honduras where rampant gang violence and poverty has led many people to leave their countries for the U.S.

"Tell Nancy and Chuck that a drone flying around will not stop them. Only a Wall will work," Trump said as the partial shutdown hit day 25. "Stop playing political games and end the Shutdown!"

The president has sought to emphasize the new migrant group in recent days, a parallel to his strategy in the run-up to last year's midterm elections when he repeatedly sought to warn of new migrants coming to the U.S. in an effort to rally his base.

Trump has adamantly insisted lawmakers allocate $5.7 billion for the wall he wants to build on the U.S.-Mexico border, but Democrats, led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have consistently rejected the demand, instead passing several pieces of legislation to reopen the government without the funding.

Alongside Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Trump has worked to ensure any legislation without the allocations he is seeking are stymied in the chamber.

Roughly 800,000 federal employees are either being forced to work without pay, or stay home from their jobs as Trump seeks funding for the barrier he said Mexico would pay for.

The shutdown is now the longest in U.S. history with no apparent end in sight.

"@realDonaldTrump, stop holding the paychecks of 800,000 Americans hostage. There is no reason for them to be suffering right now. Re-open the government! #TrumpShutdown," Pelosi said on Twitter after Trump asked on the social media website why the lawmaker is being paid during the shutdown.

Recent polling has shown Trump's approval rating to be hovering around 40 percent with the vast majority of Americans faulting him and congressional Republicans for the budget stalemate.