The Trump administration could be open to providing legal status to undocumented immigrants who have not committed serious crimes, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, signaling a major shift in his immigration policy.
Trump could make the call for an immigration bill during his first joint address to Congress on Tuesday night in a speech that could call for compromise on a number of fronts.
“The time is right for an immigration bill if both sides are willing to compromise,” Trump said, adding that individuals seeking legal status would not need to leave the country first.
Mention of the policy during Tuesday night’s speech — which has been billed as a checklist of campaign promises — could roil Trump’s base after the president campaigned on cracking down on illegal immigration across the U.S. border with Mexico.
“By finally enforcing our immigration laws, we will raise wages, help the unemployed, save billions of dollars,and make our communities safer for everyone,” Trump will say, according to excerpts released ahead of the speech.
Early speech excerpts signal Trump could strike a more conciliatory tone than the bombastic new president has done since entering the White House.
“The time for small thinking is over, the time for trivial fights is behind us, we just need the courage to share the dreams that fill our hearts, the bravery to express the hopes that stir our souls, and the confidence to turn those hopes and dreams to action. From now on, America will be empowered by our aspirations not burdened by our fears,” Trump will say, according to the pre-released remarks. http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/trumps-address-to-congress/trump-address-may-call-immigration-bill-senior-white-house-official-n726896
“signaling a major shift”
Negative. Trump has always said we’d do something to legitimize those we allow to stay. Call it whatever suits you. But we are a loooooong way from that right now.