Photo: Screenshot/Official Transition 2017 YouTube channel
President Donald Trump, who met with top Congressional Democrats Wednesday evening, has said his administration is working on a legislative plan for DACA, expressing his support for beneficiaries of the program to stay and work in the United States.
“We’re working on a plan for DACA,” Trump told reporters, after initially denying in a twitter message that a deal had been reached with Democrats.
In a series of tweets Thursday morning, Trump acknowledged the DACA recipients’ right to stay and work in the United States – something that touched off a storm of criticism from his base among Right groups.
But the president has said a DACA deal would be subject to support for his plans to enhance security on the U.S.-Mexico border to stop illegal immigration. The new plan, as advocated by Democrats and rights groups, would protect Dreamers against deportation from the United States.
Trump’s position on DACA – the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that allows around 800,000 young people brought into the United States without any lawful documents to live and work – signaled a big turnaround from his announcement earlier this month when the Administration announced its intent to roll back the Obama era plan in six months.
…They have been in our country for many years through no fault of their own – brought in by parents at young age. Plus BIG border security
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 14, 2017
Trump also recognized the important role the Dreamers could play for the United States.
Does anybody really want to throw out good, educated and accomplished young people who have jobs, some serving in the military? Really!…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 14, 2017
Trump’s meeting with Democrats including Senator Minority Leader Senator Chuck Sshumer and House Minority Leader Representative Nancy Pelosi represented the Republican president’s willingness to work with liberals to carry forward his agenda including construction of a wall along the Mexican border.
But voice on the far right expressed their anger at President Trump’s stance on building a wall and the immigration plan.
Representative Steve King (R-Iowa) , Breitbart News, now being headed by Stephen Bannon, and conservative voices mounted anger and criticism at what they see as President Trump’s backtracking on his campaign promises to stop illegal immigration as well as build a wall along the Mexican border. Some conservatives called the president “Amnesty Don” on the social media platforms.
In response, President Trump has pushed back at the suggestions and told reporters he is not working on an amnesty plan but a DACA deal.
“We’re not looking at amnesty,” Trump said. “We’re looking at allowing people to stay here. … We’re talking about taking care of people.”
