WASHINGTON, April 2 (Xinhua) -- White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders Tuesday said the administration is still considering closing the southern border, calling it possibly the "best decision."

"It may be that it's the best decision that we close the border," Sanders told the press, "Democrats are leaving us absolutely no choice at this point."

Acknowledging the economic toll such an action may bring, Sander said it would not be the "first choice" but is needed to "protect life."

Sanders said U.S. President Donald Trump "is not working on a specific timeline," despite previous suggestion from Trump that he may take action sometime this week.

The remarks came after Trump threatened last week to close the U.S. border with Mexico to block illegal immigration.

According to Trump, blocking the border would be a punitive measure against Latin American countries who allegedly had not done enough to stem the flow of illegal immigrants into the United States.

"Mexico is doing NOTHING to help stop the flow of illegal immigrants to our country. They are all talk and no action," Trump tweeted Thursday. "Likewise, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador have taken our money for years, and do nothing."

The threats are a continuation of a prolonged campaign from Trump to tackle illegal immigrants entering the United States, a centerpiece of his presidential campaign promise. Over the past two years he has clashed with the Democratic party over related issues such as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, the border wall, and immigration reform.