What he called them · First term · № 78

In his words

Called a migrant caravan still in Mexico 'an invasion of our Country' as troops were ordered to the border

“Many Gang Members and some very bad people are mixed into the Caravan heading to our Southern Border. Please go back, you will not be admitted into the United States unless you go through the legal process. This is an invasion of our Country and our Military is waiting for you!”

Said

October 29, 2018, Twitter (@realDonaldTrump)

Subject

Central American migrant caravan

Target

Immigrants

Topic

Immigration

Era

First term

What happened

The caravan was still hundreds of miles from the border, VOA reported. The same day the Pentagon said it would send more than 5,000 troops to the border. Trump used 'invasion' about migrants repeatedly before the 2018 midterms. PolitiFact reviewed that framing on November 7, 2018. 'Invasion' became a standard term in his speeches: his March 15, 2025, Alien Enemies Act proclamation described Tren de Aragua as 'perpetrating an invasion,' and his 2026 rallies promote a 'No Invasion of Our Country Act.'

Sources

1. Tweets of October 29, 2018 The American Presidency Project (UCSB), Oct 29, 2018
2. Trump warns of 'invasion' approaching US-Mexico border Roll Call, Oct 29, 2018
3. Invocation of the Alien Enemies Act Regarding the Invasion of The United States by Tren De Aragua The White House, Mar 15, 2025