INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Sunday he would allow the federal government to shut down if Democrats refuse to back his demand for a wall at the Mexican border and other
major changes to immigration laws his administration wants."I would be willing to 's hut down' government if the Democrats do not give us
the votes for Border Security, which includes the Wall! Must get rid of Lottery, Catch Release etc
and finally go to system of Immigration based on MERIT! We need great people coming into our Country!" Trump said on Twitter.The Republican
president has used the threat of a government shutdown several times since taking office in 2017 in a bid to get his priorities in
congressional spending bills, especially funding for a wall along the southern United States border.A disruption in federal government
operations in the months before November congressional elections could backfire on Trump if voters blame Republicans, who control Congress,
for the interruption in services.Trump wants Congress to pass legislation that addresses immigration issues, including the border wall,
changing the way visas are allotted and other immigration restrictions.Although Republicans control Congress, disagreements between
moderates and conservatives in the party have impeded a speedy legislative fix.Standoffs over spending levels and immigration led to a
three-day government shutdown, mostly over a weekend, in January and an hours-long shutdown in February.The Republican president has made
tougher immigration laws a centerpiece of his administration, from the first ill-fated travel ban on people from predominantly Muslim
nations to the current battle raging over the separation of illegal immigrant children from their parents at the United States -Mexico
border.A federal judge on Friday urged the United States government to focus on finding deported immigrant parents so it could reunite them
with their children who remain in the United States.Trump has requested $25 billion to build the border wall and $1.6 billion has already
appropriated for the project.United States House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan said lawmakers were considering an appropriations
measure seeking an additional $5 billion for the wall.However, its passage in the United States Senate, where Republicans have a slim
majority, is a long shot.Lawmakers met with Trump last week to discuss the appropriations process to fund the government by the September
deadline."We really just want to get the military funded, on time, on budget on schedule this year
