Immigration Reform News 2017: Trump Open to a Compromise That Will Soften Immigration Policies
U.S. President Donald Trump suggested he is open to reforming his current policies on immigration. On Feb. 28, he insinuated that an overhaul bill could be issued to help millions of illegal immigrants in the U.S. who have not committed serious crimes in the country.
Trump expressed in front of news anchors at a private White House luncheon his openness to a compromise that would soften his existing policies on undocumented immigrants. Trump said both sides can come together to draft a legislation to holistically address the U.S. immigration system. "The time is right for an immigration bill as long as there is compromise on both sides," he said.
At the luncheon, Trump said he is willing to provide legal status to immigrants who are undocumented but have not committed crimes in the U.S. However, he emphasized that he will not support or provide a pathway to citizenship.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Journalists who were present at the luncheon found Trump's comments particularly surprising, considering his long history of criticism of the U.S. immigration policy. Even during the presidential campaign, he promised to deport the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the country. Last week, on Trump's order, the Department of Home and Security already issued new policies that expanded the types of immigrants targeted for deportation.
Meanwhile, White House principal deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the president offered mixed signals at the luncheon so she could not confirm if Trump will follow through on pursuing a compromise.
"The president has been very clear in his process that the immigration system is broken and needs massive reform, and he's made clear that he's open to having conversations about that moving forward." Ironically, he has emphasized many times recently that his primary focus is border control and security at the border.
