Trump Demands Border Wall Funding

FEATURING JUAN ESCALANTE – A number of Democratic lawmakers visited the tent encampment in Tornillo, Texas this weekend where US authorities are holding thousands of undocumented children in detention. Among those who visited were Texas Representative and former Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke, California Representative Judy Chu, and Senators Tina Smith of Minnesota, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, and Jeff Merkley of Oregon.

Meanwhile, as a deadline fast approaches to pass a spending bill keeping the federal government funded, President Trump has found himself increasingly isolated on his threat to shutdown the government over his border wall. There are reports that very few Republicans support his demand for $5 billion of funding for a wall between the US and Mexico. Republican Senator John Cornyn said, “Everybody is looking to him for a signal about what he wants to do, and so far it’s not clear.” An unnamed Republican lawmaker told The Hill, “Trump will get the blame, but he won’t care. And the base will love him for it.” The deadline to pass a bill is December 21.

Juan Escalante, digital organizer, immigration advocate, and a DACA recipient. He is also the immigration correspondent for Rising Up With Sonali.