'We are not bad people,' say migrants in response to Trump

As President Donald Trump urged Congress on Tuesday (January 8) to give him $5.7 billion this year to help build a wall on the US border with Mexico, Central Americans staying in shelters in Tijuana in hopes of reaching the United States said they were disappointed by his negative rhetoric.

Using blunt language in an attempt to win public support, the Republican president said illegal immigrants and drugs flowing across the southern border posed a serious threat to American safety.

But after days of hinting he might use presidential powers to declare an emergency as a first step toward directing money for the wall without congressional approval, Trump said he would continue seeking a solution to the impasse with Congress.

Trump's speech came 18 days into a partial government shutdown precipitated by his demand for the wall. Public opposition to the shutdown is growing and that could hurt Trump, as he said last month he would be proud to close the government to fight for the wall.

Democratic leaders, in a rebuttal also carried live on national television, accused the president on Tuesday night of using fear tactics and spreading misinformation about the situation along the border.