How Trump-fed conspiracies have stoked hatred against migrant caravan

Trump described them as 'an invasion of our country' and his administration announced plans to deploy at least 5,200 active-duty troops to the southern border by the end of this week

Alicia Hooten thinks the country has plenty of problems. “So many; so many,” she said warily, before settling on the one at the top of her mind with the midterm election just a week away. “I feel like we’re fighting for our freedom when it comes to our borders.”

She spoke while waiting for President Trump’s campaign rally on Saturday, hours after the deadly shootings in Pittsburgh. Ms. Hooten, a graphic designer from nearby Sparta, Ill., said she was especially concerned about the caravan of migrants in southern Mexico, calling it “a ploy to destroy America, and to bring us to