Trump threatens Mexico border closure unless he gets funds for his wall

Trump has previously threatened to close the border to prevent Central American immigrants reaching the United States

President Donald Trump threatened on Friday to close the southern US border with Mexico unless he gets the money he wants for a wall, raising the stakes in a standoff that will present an immediate test next week for the new US Congress. 

When Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats take control of the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday, they plan to quickly approve a spending measure meant to end a partial government shutdown that began on Dec. 22, triggered by Trump’s demand for $5 billion in funding for his proposed wall.

Democrats have made clear that the House measure,