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“Heard Trump say that he would insist on the word “merit” being a part of any immigration reform including DACA... That could really limit even Dreamer legalization!”

Yes it could. Bigly.

First off, DACA is a subset of dreamers (800K out of several million). DACA is a very well defined, discrete list of individuals, by name. Dreamers is a broad, weakly defined category. Millions of additional people could potentially attempt to enter in the future, through whatever window is defined as open for “Dreamers”.

At least half of the DACA folks are NOT good candidates under a merit based system. We need to bar those with criminal records, have gang associations (including tattoos) or who are functionally illiterate. We would be wise to further bar those with weak English language skills or medical issues.

Also, if you have merit criteria and no more chain migration, then the DACA folks who are accepted do not bring other family members with them, who don’t meet the standards (old, sick, illiterate, unskilled, welfare recipients, or those with criminal histories - such as the parents who violated the law to bring the DACA folks in).

Pinkbell - yes, the Democrats are not to be trusted, but I watched the whole thing, and Trump knows their game. My wife watched part of it as well, and she stated that Trump displayed his vaunted negotiating skills very well here. When the female Democrat at the end tried to pin Trump down with "so, you want to spend $18B for your wall as part of any DACA deal". Trump pivoted from the real issue she had (linking any DACA deal with security), to the cost of the wall. She was trying to imply that the wall was a too expensive (which is laughable), but the real issue is the Democrats DON'T want the wall.

Trump simply stated that the wall can be built for less, and then added insult to injury and told the room that it won't take 7 years to build it - he wants it done in one year.

It was classic negotiation by out-manuever.

If we move to a merit based immigration system, some of the DACA folks would be excellent candidates (healthy young adults, fluent in English with good education/skills, who pay taxes have no criminal record and use no welfare). They would be reasonable recruits to legalize, or flat out give green cards anyway. At least half of the DACA folks are NOT good candidates under a merit based system. We need to bar those with criminal records, have gang associations (including tattoos) or who are functionally illiterate. We would be wise to further bar those with weak English language skills or medical issues.

Good analysis Beau. I don't think everyone sees these distinctions as clearly. DACA is a slim subset of our illegal immigrants as you stated.

This meeting was fascinating from several aspects. One I already stated in a previous post (Trumps' incredible negotiation skills).

Another was how Trump sandbagged the Democrats. I don't think the Democrats (or perhaps the Republicans either) thought Trump would allow the Press to stay in the room for nearly an hour. The press was clearly grateful, and you can hear them at the end before they are asked to leave. They thanked Trump profusely for the access.

The American people now know the Democrats tactics to the letter (they want DACA amnesty now, and "promise" to deliver border security and the wall later). A fool's bargain, but Trump forced them to play their hand.

The last thing - did you all notice who was sitting at the table very close to the President? A junior Congresswoman - Martha McSally.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha_McSally

For those of you who are unfamiliar, you should read her bio. I did not know her while I was on active duty, but I knew of her. She was the first female A-10 combat pilot, a USAFA grad, a Harvard grad, and a very impressive woman. However, I first heard of her when she sued the DoD because she refused to wear the Abaya while deployed to Saudi Arabia.

We were flabbergasted at her courage. A lowly USAF Major does not do such a thing. But she did. She stood up to not only the DoD and State Dept, but to the richest Muslim nation on the planet. And she won and made her point.

The fact that she was in that meeting, and spoke several times, tells me that the Republicans recognize her potential. I think she will be a Senator soon - when McCain leaves office, I believe she will run for his seat with the full endorsement of the Republican party.

McSally called out the Democrats in that meeting for holding the Dept of Defense funding hostage to the Democrats whims. She disputed that immigrants were not who needed Congress to act right now, but our men and women in uniform. She refuted the Democrats assertion that port and other security was not being addressed, saying at the meeting "Our bill does that."

Watch the Arizona Senate seat - I think it is hers when it comes available.