Trump says deportation push may have been too tough, floats amnesty

In short: President Donald Trump said his deportation campaign may have been “too tough” and suggested he could work with Democrats on an amnesty deal.

What happened

In an interview aired Sunday on CBS’s 60 Minutes, Trump said some voters were turned off by how strict his administration’s immigration enforcement has been. He pointed to cases where federal agents deported people who had jobs and had lived in the US for years.

Trump described a split in public opinion. He said some people, including what he called the “pretty far right,” would like everyone without legal status removed. He said others want the government to focus on deporting people who commit serious crimes, but allow long-time residents who work and pay taxes to stay under a negotiated legal deal.

Trump said some kind of “legal status” agreement with Democrats was “doable.” Amnesty usually means giving certain immigrants a chance to become legal residents (like offering a formal pass after years of living and working in a place).

The interview was filmed shortly before Trump said he would appoint Stephen Miller, known for hardline immigration views, as chief of staff.

Trump also said Republicans were hurt in the midterm elections by “bad messaging” on the economy and by voter reaction to the Iran war. He added that he is open to “guardrails” on AI safety, meaning basic rules meant to reduce harm, as long as the US stays ahead of China.

Why it matters

Immigration policy affects jobs, families, and local communities, and it can shift quickly depending on political pressure. If the White House seriously pursues an amnesty deal, it could change the lives of millions of people who currently live in the US without legal status, and it could reshape the next debate in Congress.

Source: Financial Times