Donald Trump lays out case for border wall

President makes no 'national emergency' declaration

Democrats hit back saying crisis is 'fabricated'

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Full transcript of speech

Donald Trump has addressed the American people from the Oval Office, telling them there was a "security and humanitarian crisis" at the southern border, and a wall must be built to prevent the shedding of American blood.

The US president said thousands of Americans had been killed by illegal immigrants over the years, and thousands more would die if action was not taken.

In a prime-time address, carried by all major TV networks, Mr Trump laid out his case for why a shutdown of the US government must continue until Democrats agree to $5.7 billion in funding to build the border wall.

Speaking directly to the camera, Mr Trump said: "My fellow Americans, there is a growing security and humanitarian crisis at our southern border.

"How much more American blood must be shed before Congress does its job? Imagine if it was your child, or husband, or wife whose life was so cruelly shattered."