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WATCH: President Trump delivers prime-time address

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Posted at 1:38 PM, Jan 08, 2019
and last updated 2019-01-08 22:01:58-05

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KGTV) -- President Donald Trump Tuesday night delivered a prime-time address to the nation on border security.

All major networks, including ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN and Fox News decided to carry the address.

The battle over border security and a border wall has led to a partial government shutdown that has, as of Tuesday, lasted 18 days. In comparison, the longest government shutdown was under former President Bill Clinton and lasted 21 days.

President Donald Trump said during the address that there is a "growing humanitarian and security crisis" at the U.S.-Mexico border, though crossings have fallen in recent years.

RELATED: What the border looks like now, as President Trump asks for wall funding

The President added that all Americans are hurt by uncontrolled illegal immigration. He says it strains public resources and drives down jobs and wages.

The President says among those hit hardest by illegal immigration are African-Americans and Hispanics.

The President is trying to convince Americans that the flow of immigrants into the U.S. illegally at the southern border is a crisis.

He asserts that the government remains shut down because Democrats won't fund border security.

RELATED: San Diego lawmakers respond to Trump's border wall comments

Following his address, Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer stood in a long hallway behind a podium, reinforcing their talking points about misinformation spread by the President.

Both Pelosi and Schumer didn't seem to be swayed on whether or not they'd compromise and reopen the government, ensuring that the standoff between Trump and Democrats continues.