The White House declined Monday to rule out working with Democrats on a possible arrangement for immigrants who have lived in the United States illegally for more than a decade. Republicans are expected to lose control of Congress in January.
In an interview recorded before the midterm election losses, President Donald Trump said he would consider working out a deal for some people who entered the country illegally. A White House official stressed that Trump had not used the word “amnesty” and said the administration wanted Democrats to make their position clear.
“There has never been a President stronger on immigration enforcement than President Trump,” the official said, adding that more than three million people in the country illegally had left during Trump’s efforts. The official also said the border was more secure than ever and that Trump was open to working with others to improve Americans’ lives and safety.
In a Sunday interview with Ross Douthat on “60 Minutes,” Trump said he wanted to address immigration. He said his record on closing the border and removing people who had committed crimes was strong, but acknowledged that enforcement had also affected people who had jobs and whose only violation was entering the country illegally.
Trump said some Americans want every person in the country illegally deported. But he also pointed to people working in hotels, landscaping and other jobs, some of whom pay taxes, and said many people believe they should be allowed to stay. He described the removal of workers such as hotel cleaners and waitresses as difficult, while criticizing those he called “far-right” for supporting deportation regardless of someone’s employment.
Although he did not call it amnesty, Trump said he would be willing to “work a deal” for people who had been in the country illegally for 10 or 15 years and had not committed other crimes. Rep. Maria Salazar, a Florida Republican who has long supported providing legal status to some undocumented immigrants, praised his remarks. She said they reflected her proposed Dignity Act, which would offer legal status to people continuously in the country since 2020 if they had no other criminal record and paid a restitution fee and back taxes.
The White House did not explain what a potential deal might include. The interview was recorded before Stephen Miller, a prominent immigration restrictionist, was chosen as Trump’s new chief of staff.
Trump’s comments drew criticism from immigration hardliners. Commentator Steve Cortes said an amnesty agreement with Democrats would be a major betrayal, while radio host Anthony Cumia argued that granting legal status could damage Republican support in Texas and other states. X personality Kelly McCarty also warned that a deal would go against voters’ demands for mass deportations and no amnesty.
