Crosstalk: January 27, 2017

Jim began this edition of Crosstalk by playing audio featuring President Donald Trump who delivered an address at the Department of Homeland Security. His comments outlined 2 executive orders that he issued today, and steps he's taking to secure the U.S./Mexico border while enforcing U.S. immigration laws within U.S. territory.

President Trump said, 'A nation without borders is not a nation. Beginning today, the United States of America gets back control of its borders...gets back its borders.'

He talked about building the wall and that it would be good not only for the U.S. but also for Mexico, and that he'd be willing to cooperate on shared U.S./Mexican interests with the Mexican president. He talked about ending the policy of 'catch and release' at the border, requiring other nations to take back their criminals, cracking down on sanctuary cities, empowering ICE officers to target and remove those who pose a threat to public safety. He also called for the hiring of 5,000 border patrol officers, a tripling of the number of ICE officers and creating an office of homeland security dedicated to supporting the victims of illegal immigrant crime.

Jim brought some other related news items to the attention of listeners including:

--Since the day after the inauguration, there were 773 refugees admitted into the U.S.

--White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus defended President Trump last evening on the issue of blocking federal funds meant for so-called 'sanctuary cities' that harbor immigrants who've entered the U.S. illegally.

--The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists has moved the symbolic doomsday clock to 2-1/2 minutes before midnight.

--An abandoned Walmart building in Brownsville, Texas, is being used to shelter illegal immigrants.

--A Congressman from Laredo, Texas, expresses his disappointment with Trump's executive orders.

--A Mexican cartel has been stockpiling Soviet-era rocket propelled grenades, body armor, assault rifles and ammunition in a border city.

--Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto canceled his planned visit to the U.S. to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump. The decision came after Mexico's government denounced Trump's new border security measures aimed at interfering with the cash flow of the Mexican cartels believed to have financed the campaign of the current Mexican president.

--Jim encouraged listeners to pray for President Trump's Supreme Court pick which will be announced soon.

--There is a resolution before the Milwaukee County (Wisconsin) Board of Supervisors that will be voted on next week calling for the county to become a sanctuary county.

--The Department of Homeland Security stopped more than 22,000 high risk travelers from entering the U.S. in 2015. Officials remain uncertain about how effective the security screening methods are, opening the possibility that risky individuals are still being approved for entry into the country.

--Texas Governor Greg Abbott is vowing to pursue legislation to remove from office any official who promotes 'sanctuary cities'.

Jim then asked listeners to comment on the following question: Do you applaud President Trump or do you disagree with his latest executive orders?