Trump press conference: President announces 'violence' from caravan will be met with radical military response

Remarks come as caravan of refugees and migrants makes its way slowly to the US-Mexico border

Donald Trump: military to 'consider it a rifle' if rocks thrown by immigrants

Donald Trump has suggested stone-throwing migrants making it to the US-Mexico border might be shot by the US military, as he unveiled a proposal to limit the right to apply for asylum.

In a speech at the White House filled with several falsehoods, the president said he was seeking to limit asylum claims only to those who applied at legal entry points. He claimed the move was necessary because a series of migrant caravans – still up to a 1,000 miles from the border – was considered by some people to be “an invasion”.

“Asylum is not a programme for those living in poverty. There are billions of people in the world living at the poverty level. The United States cannot possibly absorb them all,” he said.

Mr Trump has ramped up his tough stance on illegal immigration, an issue that appeals to his core supporters, before crucial midterm elections on Tuesday that will decide if his Republican Party keep control of Congress.

“Asylum is a very specific protection based on those fleeing persecution.”

The migrants making their way northwards have come largely from El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, all of which suffer from poverty and high levels of violence.

He said some had thrown stones at, and attacked Mexican police and troops – a reference to clashes between Mexican security forces and up to 1,500 migrants at the Guatemala-Mexico border, that left one migrant dead. Meanwhile, even as the number of migrants attached to the original caravan continues to dwindle, a third group of around 500 migrants from El Salvador entered Guatemala last weekend.

“I hope there won’t be that. But I will tell you this, anybody throwing stones, rocks like they did to Mexico … Where they badly hurt police and soldiers of Mexico – we will consider that a firearm,” the president said.

“Because there’s not much difference when you get hit in the face with a rock.”

If you want to see how the press conference unfolded please see our live coverage below

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[1 November 2018 20:58 · Chris Stevenson]

Mr Trump reiterated that he wanted to set up "tent cities" to hold people coming to the US, including those seeking asylum. But there currently is not enough detention space to hold families who are coming across the border.

The military is working to create space, but nothing has been finalised. And laws prevent children from being detained beyond 20 days. 

[1 November 2018 20:59 · Chris Stevenson]

Here is the full address by Mr Trump:

 

[1 November 2018 21:05 · Chris Stevenson]

Beyond the stones/firearms quotes - here are the important ones on Mr Trump's proposed changes to the asylum rules.

"Migrants seeking asylum will have to present themselves lawfully at a port of entry," Trump told reporters at the White House.

"Those who choose to break our laws and enter illegally will no longer be able to use meritless claims to gain automatic admission into our country," he added.

He did not provide details on whether the plan would apply only to people traveling in the caravans or to anyone seeking to enter the country.

[1 November 2018 21:08 · Chris Stevenson]

Again, it is worth repeating that the Immigration and Nationality Act says any immigrant in the United States can apply for asylum, whether or not the immigrant entered the country through a designated port of entry.

Mr Trump insisted to reporters the asylum plan would be legal. Although it is likely any changes Mr Trump tries via executive order will be challenged in the courts.

[1 November 2018 21:17 · Chris Stevenson]

From the Associated Press, with the migrant caravan:

Thousands of Central American migrants resumed their slow trek through southern Mexico on Thursday, as immigration agents and police nibbled at the edges of the two caravans currently in the country. 

Mexican authorities haven't directly targeted the main caravan of about 4,000 migrants, and activists aiding that group said they were shifting their route toward the Gulf coast, a path closer to the Texas border. 

But a second, smaller caravan about 200 miles behind the first group appeared to be more leaderless, get less press attention and be more vulnerable. 

A federal official who was not authorised to be quoted by name told the AP 153 migrants in the second caravan were detained on Wednesday during highway inspections in the southern state of Chiapas, a short distance from the Guatemalan border. While the precise size of the second caravan is unclear, that could be equivalent to about 10 per cent of those participating. 

[1 November 2018 21:37 · Lucy Anna Gray]

Here's the full report of tonight's press conference from our US editor, Andrew Buncombe: 

[1 November 2018 21:37 · Lucy Anna Gray]

The president will now host a 'Make America Great Again' rally in Minnesota. 

Thank you for following our live coverage of tonight's press conference.