After doubling down on his commitment to build a wall on the southern border, President Donald Trump issued a direct challenge to Democrats in Congress who would impede his administration’s efforts to enforce the nation’s immigration laws.

“To any in Congress who do not believe we should enforce our laws, I would ask you this question,” Trump said. “What would you say to the American family that loses their jobs, their income, or a loved one, because America refused to uphold its laws and defend its borders?”

“What would you say to the American family that loses their jobs, their income, or a loved one, because America refused to uphold its laws and defend its borders?”

“My administration has answered the pleas of the American people for immigration enforcement and border security,” the president said. Border security was the issue that launched President Trump’s campaign and surely a driving force behind his victory in the election.

“By finally enforcing our immigration laws, we will raise wages, help the unemployed, save billions of dollars, and make our communities safer for everyone,” President Trump continued. “We want all Americans to succeed — but that can’t happen in an environment of lawless chaos. We must restore integrity and the rule of law to our borders,” he said.

[lz_jwplayer video=”Pn5G07SQ”]

“For that reason, we will soon begin the construction of a great wall along our southern border. It will be started ahead of schedule and, when finished, it will be a very effective weapon against drugs and crime,” Trump said, to thunderous applause from the Republican side.

“Our obligation is to serve, protect, and defend the citizens of the United States,” he said.

As the president reiterated his commitment to securing the U.S.-Mexico border and enforcing immigration laws, the White House issued a press release detailing the ways in which President Trump has so far delivered on that commitment.

This includes an executive order directing law enforcement to actively enforce current laws and aggressively target criminal illegal aliens, and to halt federal funding to sanctuary jurisdictions. The president has also issued an executive order requesting the beginning of the border wall’s construction.

[lz_related_box id=”325104″]

Who do you think would win the Presidency?

By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from LifeZette, occasional offers from our partners and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement.

“Following through on President Trump’s direction, the Department of Homeland Security will hire 10,000 Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and agents and 5,00 border patrol agents,” the press release read.

‘Our current immigration system unfairly penalizes the American taxpayer,” it said, noting that “according to the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the current immigration system costs the nation as much as $296 billion every year.”