Trump Backtracks on Deportation Plan, Seeks Immigration Deal
President Trump admits his deportation efforts were too harsh and now seeks a deal with Democrats.
2 min read
Days after the midterm elections, President Donald Trump hinted at a potential shift in his immigration policy, acknowledging that his mass deportation campaign may have been too aggressive. In a recent 60 Minutes interview, Trump admitted the approach could have hurt his political standing.
Backtrack on Deportation Raids
“I think it was too tough. I think it might be too tough, yeah. I think ultimately that hurt me,” Trump said. He expressed a willingness to negotiate with Democrats, suggesting a deal that would grant legal status to non-criminal undocumented immigrants who are working and paying taxes in the U.S.
Focus on Criminals, Not All
Trump emphasized that the focus should be on deporting individuals with criminal records, such as drug dealers and violent offenders, rather than all undocumented immigrants. “Get the killers out, get all the rough ones out, get all the drug dealers out, but let the people that are here and in some cases here for 10 and 15 years, work a deal for them,” he stated.
Administration Divisions
Trump acknowledged that there are differing views within his administration on deportation strategies. While some, like Stephen Miller, have pushed for broader immigration arrests, others advocate for a more targeted approach. Miller, now serving as White House chief of staff, has been a key architect of the deportation campaign.
Public Opinion and Enforcement Numbers
A recent Fox News poll revealed that 58% of voters believe Trump’s immigration enforcement actions went too far, with about 60% disapproving of ICE’s performance. Since Trump’s return to the White House, federal agencies have arrested over 1.25 million undocumented immigrants and deported nearly 1.2 million.
Opportunity for Compromise
Trump mentioned that he is already receiving calls from Democrats interested in brokering a deal. “I think that’s something that’s actually doable,” he said, indicating a potential path forward in the ongoing immigration debate.
Source: Daily Wire
