Trump Vows Troops Will Shoot Immigrants Throwing Rocks

President Donald Trump continues to ratchet up fear of women and children walking toward the U.S. border from Central America. On Thursday, he said he would sign an executive order next week aimed at restricting U.S. asylum rules and said troops dispatched to the border would be authorized to shoot immigrants who toss rocks in their direction, CNN reports.

"I hope there won't be that," Trump told reporters. But he said the military is authorized to use deadly force, and throwing rocks will be treated the same as firing a gun at a soldier.

"There's not much difference when you get hit in the face with a rock," he said.

The discussion of deadly force came as the caravan of refugees faced transportation issues.

Coordinators of the caravan told USA Today Wednesday that they will have to take the group through dangerous parts of Veracruz, Mexico, on foot after a plan to arrange buses fell through.

"There was the possibility to have 70 buses from various sources of support that under pressure of the Mexican government withdrew their support, leaving the exodus no choice but to continue on foot towards Veracruz, a state of high risk of violence at the hands of criminal organizations," said a statement from organizers.

The caravan, made up largely of women and children, also appears to be shrinking as individuals fall ill and stop the trek, the newspaper reports.

The group began its journey in Honduras and remains more than 1,000 miles away from any U.S. point of entry. The midterm election happens in five days.