Fact-checking the Presidential Address

Courtesy+of+the+New+York+Times

Courtesy of the New York Times

Last night, President Donald Trump addressed the nation over immigration concerns, the current government shutdown, and the Mexican border wall. In his 10-minute speech, he made many statements alluding to an immigration crisis that America is facing. However, since his speech, some of the President’s statements have been disproven by many trustworthy news organizations.

To start off, President Trump discussed the impending heroin problem in the country. He stated that “90% of which [heroin] floods across from our southern border.” While it is true that 90% of the heroin in the U.S. comes from Mexico, almost all of it comes across legal points of entry, according to The Washington Post.

President Trump has continually made the claim that the southern border wall will be paid for by Mexico. He most recently stated that Mexico will still pay for the border wall but “indirectly through the new trade deal we have made with Mexico.” However, the money that comes in from the trade agreement is not for “free-spending,” according to CNN. This money will not be able to pay for the border wall, despite the President’s claims.

Throughout his speech, President Trump attempted to instill a sense of fear and panic in American citizens about illegal immigration, however, there is still no new crisis at the border. Rates of immigration have decreased from 1.64 million immigrants to 396,000 since 2000, according to the Washington Post.

Moments after the Presidential address, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Minority Leader, Chuck Schumer formulated a Democratic response. They urged the President to end the current 19-day Government Shutdown that is heading towards the longest in history.