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Donald Trump has claimed the United States is being invaded at it southern border and “gangs and human traffickers can easily pour in” as he continued to fight for his border wall.

Speaking after a visit to Mexico, the president warned of a “humanitarian crisis at our southern border”, tweeting: “I just got back and it is a far worse situation than almost anyone would understand, an invasion!”

In a post on Friday, he added: “I have been there numerous times – The Democrats, Cryin’ Chuck and Nancy don’t know how bad and dangerous it is for our ENTIRE COUNTRY.

“The steel barrier or wall should have been built by previous administrations long ago.

“They never got it done – I will. Without it, our country cannot be safe. Criminals, gangs, human traffickers, drugs and so much other big trouble can easily pour in. It can be stopped cold.”

It comes as the US president edges closer to declaring a national emergency to fund his long-promised southern border wall amid a three-week government shutdown.

Some 800,000 staff are set to miss their first pay cheque under the stoppage on Friday, and Washington is coming close to setting a dubious record for the longest government shutdown in American history.

Those markers - along with growing effects on national parks, food inspections and the economy overall - have left some Republicans on Capitol Hill increasingly uncomfortable with Mr Trump's demands.

Asked about the plight of those going without pay, the president shifted focus, saying he felt badly "for people that have family members that have been killed" by criminals who came over the border.

Mr Trump spoke during a visit to McAllen, Texas, and the Rio Grande on Thursday to highlight what he calls a crisis of drugs and crime.

He said that "if for any reason we don't get this going" - meaning an agreement with House Democrats who have refused to approve the 5.7 billion dollars he is demanding - "I will declare a national emergency".

Mr Trump is consulting with White House lawyers and allies about using presidential emergency powers to take unilateral action to construct the wall over the objections of US Congress.

He claimed his lawyers told him the action would withstand legal scrutiny "100%".

Such a move to bypass US Congress' constitutional control of the nation's purse strings would spark certain legal challenges and bipartisan claims of executive over-reach.

A congressional official said the White House has directed the Army Corps of Engineers to look for billions of dollars earmarked last year for disaster response for Puerto Rico and other areas that could be diverted to a border wall as part of the emergency declaration.

"We're either going to have a win, make a compromise - because I think a compromise is a win for everybody - or I will declare a national emergency," Mr Trump said before departing for his visit to the border.