Trump might call for amnesty for illegal aliens in address to Congress

There are reports that President Trump might call for some kind of amnesty for illegal aliens who have not committed serious crimes in his address to a joint session of Congress Tuesday.

The reports came after journalists attended a White House luncheon Tuesday and cited a “senior White House official” for the statement on the controversial issue.

NBC’s Lester Holt and Chuck Todd are quoting a White House official as saying Trump may issue a call for immigration “compromise,” while Dara Lind of Vox contributed a full quote from the official, saying “The time is right for an immigration bill if both sides are willing to compromise.”

George Stephanopoulos of NBC characterized the White House official’s statement as indicating the president “believes now may be time for immigration bill that has compromise on all sides.”

“The word that President Trump may ask lawmakers to tackle comprehensive immigration reform sparked quick reaction up on Capitol Hill,” Blitzer said, then asked CNN’s senior congressional reporter Manu Raju, “Manu what are you hearing?”

“Well, mixed reaction Wolf, even on the Republican side of the aisle,” Raju explained.

Some conservatives who have pushed for tougher border security measures don’t want to go this route, including Steve Scalise (R-La.) one of the members of the Republican leadership telling our colleague Deirdre Walsh that, “I want us to secure our border, that needs to be our priority, not a compromise bill.”

But some other Republicans open to the idea, including Marco Rubio of Florida, who also told our colleague Ashley Killough that actually he could be open to something like this. Of course he tried to cut that immigration deal in 2013. And on the Democratic side a lot of skepticism including from Oregon’s Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) who I talked to about this idea, possibly of giving legal status to people who are here undocumented but haven’t committed serious crimes. He wasn’t so sure about that idea. “I would have to see the details of any proposal,” said Wyden to Raju. “Certainly if he is looking at something bipartisan, he’s gonna have to walk some of the statements that he has made time after time after time. Which would in effect would say that there would be a lot of focus by immigration authorities like ICE on people who haven’t committed any serious crimes.”

When asked by Raju, “Would you be open to any citizenship just legal status?” Wyden responded, “I’d have to see the details.”

“Indeed and also,” Raju continued, “the Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer was asked ‘is there any compromise bill that you believe that Donald Trump could get behind that you could get behind,’ and he said that ‘he’s got a lot to undo.'”

However, leaks of this nature have come out of the administration many times before and been completely discredited, leading some to speculate that Trump is orchestrating leaks for the sake of undermining the credibility of the media. And, as some have noted, they could have been reporting on idle speculation by a White House official that was being seriously considered but may not make it into the final draft of the speech.

Trump had called for all illegal aliens to be deported, but has since walked back his position and said that perhaps some could stay if they hadn’t committed serious crimes. Many hard-line Republicans are demanding no concessions be given at all to the illegal alien advocates who are now organizing “underground railroad” homes to house illegals from ICE deportations. Democrats are also planning to bring recipients of Obama’s amnesty to Trump’s address Tuesday.

“Trump has always said we’d do something to legitimize those we allow to stay.”

Where and when did he say this?

I can't find it.

If he proposes a path to citizenship or even legalizing those here illegally then he is giving a big ‘FU’ to his supporters.

If he proposes this, he will loose the support of a majority of people who voted for him ... count me as one.

My wife and her relatives came here from Cambodia and did it THE RIGHT WAY! They all spent lots of money and time submitting forms, studying for the the test and going through the naturalization process.

My wife hates illegals coming here and getting on the dole while she and her family did it the legal way and have never taken a dime from the gov’t.

Enough of these communists claiming BS and relevancy regarding their pet subversive upissues. Trump is pragmatic as the following exec letter explains.

Dear Colleagues:

At Johnson & Johnson, we’ve learned that an innovation-friendly environment is always the product of a highly collaborative workplace. Collaboration begins by listening to diverse views and approaches; opening one’s mind to the voices, ideas, and opinions of others. Collaboration unites us and makes us more successful.

That’s why last week, I was pleased to be included among 24 CEOs invited to contribute to a unique, roll-your-sleeves-up working session at the White House. The session, hosted by the President and facilitated by leaders in his administration, was designed to address barriers to economic growth and inspire ideas to spur jobs in the U.S.

The business leaders in the room represented global organizations that employ around two million workers and bring in nearly $1 trillion in annual sales, including Dell, Ford, GE, Lockheed Martin, Ford, and many more. We were all instantly on common ground in the desire to listen and learn from one another.

Each of us was assigned to one of four working groups, which included Cabinet members, experts and top advisors of the Administration. One group discussed regulatory reform, another focused on infrastructure, a third discussed the workforce of the future, and the fourth group, the one to which I was assigned, discussed tax and trade policy. All 24 CEO’s convened together throughout the day to find some common solutions to these challenges.

Tax reform is a significant issue for J&J, and for companies of all sizes in America. As a very broadly-based enterprise doing business in over 60 countries, J&J also has important experiences to share on issues of global trade. That is the perspective I brought on behalf of our company and employees.

And we didn’t have to wait long to see action: The President and his team called us back to the White House the next day, for the signing of an Executive Order including some of the very same recommendations we made the day before. The Executive Order establishes a regulatory task force and a regulatory reform officer in every government agency.

As you know, Johnson & Johnson is a consistent supporter of smart regulation. We advocate on behalf of consumers for better regulation. At the same time, we work to ensure we are at the table when we think regulations could be smarter for business. In all cases, our responsibility is to promote rules for safety, a healthy environment and equal opportunity for all workers.

A smart regulatory environment not only helps us, it is also particularly important for our nation’s 29 million small businesses – 40% of which are owned by African-Americans, Hispanics and Asians, and 50% of which have been started by women. And we know that almost 80% of new jobs in America are created by small businesses in our communities. An overly heavy regulatory burden impacts these business owners, slows their growth and suppresses their ability to reinvest in the business. This Executive Order is designed to level the playing field and promote fair competition.

You can be assured that Johnson & Johnson will work to remain a part of shaping national, and yes, international dialogues on these vital issues. It’s my personal commitment to keep you updated on this dialogue as it continues with the President and other world leaders, not only on the topic of tax and trade, but on all topics of conversation from across all of the various working groups. I am privileged yesterday, today and every day to meet the responsibilities defined in Our Credo to the communities in which we live and work, and to our world community.

I very much enjoy your feedback, keep it coming.

Sincerely,

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