Mullin Rules Out Amnesty as Trump Opens Door to Immigration Talks

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said on November 9 that the administration would not accept an immigration agreement granting amnesty to people living in the United States illegally. He also reiterated President Donald Trump’s willingness to work with Democrats on immigration after the midterm elections and a shift in Trump’s comments about deportations.

Trump said in a “60 Minutes” interview that aired on November 8 that his deportation campaign may have been too aggressive and that he would like to reach a deal with Democrats. He suggested legal status might be considered for non-criminal immigrants who work and pay taxes.

Mullin told journalists at a conference on countering drones in Maryland that he had received calls from Democrats with whom he had worked in Congress. He said he had told Trump about the calls and that the president wanted to begin working with them before meeting. Mullin said the two had not discussed specific changes to immigration policy, and said the administration’s law-enforcement approach would not change.

Mullin said Congress could consider a path to legal status for people covered by DACA, a program protecting from deportation some people brought to the country as children. He said that decision would be up to lawmakers.

The possibility of a deal has drawn criticism from immigration hard-liners, while the White House disputed claims that Trump had proposed amnesty. Mullin said working across party lines was needed to make progress, but ruled out an agreement that included amnesty.

Trump’s Immigration Shift Opens a Path to Bipartisan Reform

After voters signaled dissatisfaction with the administration’s hard-line immigration enforcement, President Donald Trump has said he is willing to work with Democrats and suggested his deportation policy may have been too aggressive. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin confirmed on November 9 that Trump wants to begin discussions, even as he insisted enforcement policy has not changed.

Mullin said he had heard from Democrats he worked with in Congress and had passed those calls along to Trump. The president wants to start working with them and meet later, Mullin said, but the two have not discussed specific policy changes. That leaves the details of any bipartisan effort unresolved.

Mullin drew a firm line against amnesty, but said Congress could consider a way to give legal status to DACA recipients, people brought to the country as children. His position points to a possible legislative route, while leaving lawmakers responsible for deciding whether to act. A blanket refusal to consider legal status would shut down that prospect before negotiations begin.

Trump’s comments have prompted criticism from immigration hard-liners, and the White House has rejected claims that he proposed an amnesty deal. But a willingness to negotiate matters: Mullin himself said cooperation between the parties was essential to completing immigration reform. The test now is whether talks can produce a policy response to voters’ concerns without treating every compromise as amnesty.

Mullin Draws a Firm Line Against Amnesty in Immigration Talks

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin made the administration’s boundary clear on November 9: any immigration talks with Democrats must not include amnesty for people living in the United States illegally. President Donald Trump has expressed interest in a deal after the midterms, but Mullin said there has been no discussion between them about changing policy.

Trump said in a “60 Minutes” interview that aired on November 8 that his deportation campaign may have been too aggressive and that he would like to work with Democrats. Mullin said the administration’s law-enforcement approach would not change. He also described Trump’s immediate plan as beginning discussions with Democrats who have contacted him, followed by a meeting later.

Mullin did leave room for Congress to consider legal status for DACA recipients, people brought to the country as children. He said that decision belongs to lawmakers. That is a distinct possibility from amnesty for people living in the country illegally, which Mullin said would not be accepted.

Immigration hard-liners have criticized Trump’s comments, and the White House has pushed back against claims that he called for an amnesty deal. The administration’s challenge is to explore bipartisan work without abandoning its enforcement approach or its stated opposition to amnesty. Mullin has said the two leaders have not yet addressed any concrete policy changes.