Trump Considers Immigration Deal with Democrats, Sets Firm Condition

On Monday, Donald Trump expressed his willingness to engage in talks with the Democrats regarding an immigration agreement. However, he firmly stated that he would not entertain the idea of granting amnesty to immigrants residing illegally in the United States.

The former president emphasized that any solution must comply with existing immigration laws and reiterated that his policy on deportations remains unchanged.

"We are not going to grant amnesty or anything similar. People have to do things the right way. It's unfair to others," Trump declared during a press briefing at the White House.

Despite his firm stance on amnesty, Trump did not rule out the possibility of reaching an immigration deal with the Democrats. "I'm certainly open to it," he remarked when discussing the potential for a negotiated solution.

Trump's Stance on Immigration Collaboration

The comments were made in response to questions from journalists about the prospects for immigration cooperation with the Democratic Party and the role of Stephen Miller, who recently assumed the position of White House Chief of Staff.

Trump expressed confidence in Miller, a key advocate of his administration's deportation policies, and believed Miller could potentially collaborate effectively with the opposition. He described him as intelligent, tough, and fair.

Earlier, when asked about potential changes to his immigration policy, Trump denied any intentions of softening it. "We have a very firm deportation policy," he stated, emphasizing his administration's focus on removing individuals deemed dangerous criminals.

Ongoing Immigration Policy Discussions

While reiterating his stance against amnesty, Trump acknowledged that among those who entered the country illegally, some now hold stable jobs, contribute to productivity, and even pay taxes. "My policy hasn't changed," he affirmed, while noting that his administration is working with various groups to explore possibilities for addressing these immigrants' situations.

Markwayne Mullin, Secretary of Homeland Security, echoed Trump's rejection of amnesty. Speaking to the Associated Press, Mullin stated that no concrete changes to immigration policy had been discussed with Trump. He emphasized that immigration reform would necessitate cooperation between Republicans and Democrats, rejecting the inclusion of amnesty in such a process. He also mentioned that any legislative solution for DACA beneficiaries would fall under Congress's jurisdiction.

The president's clarification came a day after he signaled openness to negotiate with Democrats on legal status for certain undocumented immigrants during a CBS 60 Minutes interview. Trump admitted that his deportation policy might have been too harsh and acknowledged the political damage to Republicans caused by deportations of individuals with stable employment.

Per the full transcript by CBS News, Trump suggested a potential agreement for immigrants who have lived in the U.S. for 10 to 15 years, working in industries such as hospitality and landscaping. When asked if a deal with the Democrats could grant these workers some form of legal status, he agreed it was possible, though he did not elaborate on the mechanisms to achieve this.

The Sunday statements were welcomed by Cuban-American Republican Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar, who linked them to her proposed Dignity Act, a bipartisan initiative for temporary regularization pathways for certain undocumented immigrants.