Chef José Andrés on Monday urged President Trump Donald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy MORE to visit migrant shelters in Tijuana to get a better understanding of what's happening near the U.S.-Mexico border.

"I will say again to @realDonaldTrump visit the shelters in Tijuana and you will talk to the people and see they are not the enemy of America," Andrés tweeted. "They are mothers and fathers trying to feed their children. We don’t have a National Emergency."

The chef, who has been a frequent critic of the Trump administration over immigration issues and handling of hurricane relief in Puerto Rico, also called on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen Kirstjen Michele NielsenDHS IG won't investigate after watchdog said Wolf, Cuccinelli appointments violated law Appeals court sides with Trump over drawdown of immigrant protections Democrats smell blood with new DHS whistleblower complaint MORE to resign.

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Andrés' tweet on Monday quoted a days-old video of his recent visit to Tijuana, where he spoke with Central American migrants who are staying in shelters there. He called for the Trump administration to help develop solutions that would empower Central Americans economically to keep them from fleeing their home countries.

"It’s not a crisis," Andrés said of the situation at the border. "The crisis is all created by telling the wrong stories. I can tell you that what I see here is just men and women that are trying to provide for their children."

I will say again to @realDonaldTrump visit the shelters in Tijuana and you will talk to the people and see they are not the enemy of America. They are mothers and fathers trying to feed their children. We don’t have a National Emergency. @SecNielsen you should resign... https://t.co/l8GTW6EVwx — José Andrés (@chefjoseandres) January 8, 2019

Trump's request for more than $5 billion to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border triggered a partial government shutdown that has lasted 17 days and counting. Democrats have refused to offer any money for the president's wall, but have proposed $1.3 billion for other border security measures.

The president said he will deliver an address on Tuesday night from the Oval Office about the shutdown and the border, and will travel on Thursday to the border. It's unclear with whom Trump will meet on his trip.

Trump has said he's considering declaring a national emergency to direct construction of the border wall. Democrats have said such a move would face legal challenges, while Republicans have said they'd rather the president not skirt Congress with such a measure.