President Trump is pulling out all the stops to get a wall built along the U.S.-Mexico border, including forcing a partial government shutdown that has now lasted 19 days. In addition to the financial woes the shutdown is creating for hundreds of thousands of federal workers and businesses that depend on an open government, Trump is putting something else on the line: his presidency. In an analysis of the longest shutdowns since 1977, political scientist John Tures found that in most cases presidents ended up falling in approval ratings and losing their next bid for office. “When the government is closed, history shows the president will be held accountable,” he writes.

In last night’s televised address, Trump spoke to Americans about the shutdown and immigration. Reasserting dubious old claims that criminals, drug smugglers and human traffickers are flooding across the U.S.-Mexico border, he demanded that Congress fund a $5.7 billion steel barrier to “protect our country.” But the southern border is not actually the national security threat Trump says it is. Six immigration scholars explain who’s actually trying to get into the U.S. – and why.

And, if you’re like many people, you might be looking for ways to stay motivated with your New Year’s resolutions now that the novelty has worn off. Camilla Nonterah, a counseling psychologist at the University of Richmond, explains why behavior change is so hard – and why you can do it! Nonterah also offers several suggestions to help, including the setting of specific, achievable goals.