Since last Friday, a caravan of approximately 4,000 illegal aliens from Honduras and other Central American countries swelled to 7,000 as it makes its way north. Organizers of the caravan vow to make it to the United States one way or another.

Last week President Trump threatened to deploy the U.S. Military to the southern border if the Mexican government couldn't prevent it from traveling further. He also threatened to shut down the border completely and cut aid to countries aiding the caravan.

I am watching the Democrat Party led (because they want Open Borders and existing weak laws) assault on our country by Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, whose leaders are doing little to stop this large flow of people, INCLUDING MANY CRIMINALS, from entering Mexico to U.S..... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 18, 2018

....In addition to stopping all payments to these countries, which seem to have almost no control over their population, I must, in the strongest of terms, ask Mexico to stop this onslaught - and if unable to do so I will call up the U.S. Military and CLOSE OUR SOUTHERN BORDER!.. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 18, 2018

....The assault on our country at our Southern Border, including the Criminal elements and DRUGS pouring in, is far more important to me, as President, than Trade or the USMCA. Hopefully Mexico will stop this onslaught at their Northern Border. All Democrats fault for weak laws! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 18, 2018

Monday morning, he got one step closer to official deployment.

Sadly, it looks like Mexico’s Police and Military are unable to stop the Caravan heading to the Southern Border of the United States. Criminals and unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in. I have alerted Border Patrol and Military that this is a National Emergy. Must change laws! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 22, 2018

In recent weeks, President Trump has made illegal immigration a central issue on the campaign trail.

Every time you see a Caravan, or people illegally coming, or attempting to come, into our Country illegally, think of and blame the Democrats for not giving us the votes to change our pathetic Immigration Laws! Remember the Midterms! So unfair to those who come in legally. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 22, 2018

Can you believe this, and what Democrats are allowing to be done to our Country? pic.twitter.com/4aDpASkjIU — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 18, 2018