US immigration policy: Mullin says no concrete changes as Trump signals talks with Democrats

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said President Donald Trump had not held detailed talks with Mullin on immigration policy changes after the midterm elections. Mullin spoke near Washington, DC, as Trump adjusted language on deportations. Trump also said openness to work with Democrats. Mullin also rejected any amnesty for people in the US illegally.

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The midterm results highlighted voter unease about the administration’s strict immigration enforcement. After the vote, Trump suggested cooperation with Democrats on immigration. In a 60 Minutes interview on Sunday, Trump also said deportations had been too tough for voters. Mullin repeated on Monday that Trump remained willing to engage Democrats.

Trump immigration policy talks after midterms

Mullin said Democratic lawmakers had contacted Mullin after the election. Mullin said many callers were Democrats Mullin worked with in Congress. Mullin said he informed Trump about the outreach. Mullin described only early steps, not decisions. "We havent had any conversation just on policy.\" Mullin said.

In the same briefing, Mullin said: \"Ive let the president know that those calls are coming in. And the president has said, you know, lets start working with them and then lets meet at some point. So thats the extent of the conversation,\" Mullin said in a briefing with reporters.

Amnesty debate in Trump immigration policy

Mullin said a bipartisan path was needed to pass any major immigration bill. Mullin said this view came from experience in the House and Senate. However, Mullin said any deal offering amnesty was not acceptable. \"I was working on immigration reform when I was in the House and when I was in the Senate. I think the only way you can actually get it is by a bipartisan approach. But amnestys never going to be a solution. Were never gonna allow amnesty to happen. So thats a full stop,\" said Mullin.

Trump, after the election, promoted Stephen Miller to chief of staff. Miller is widely seen as a main designer of the crackdown. The move raised questions about how Democratic talks could progress. Mullin supported the pick online. Mullin called him in a post on social media last week an excellent choice.

DACA and Trump immigration policy options

Mullin also discussed DACA, which shields some people from deportation. DACA covers those brought to the country illegally as children by parents. Mullin said Congress would need to act on any legal status plan. \"Now, if we wanna have an immigration reform to where we can look at DACA and figure out a way that these individuals can become maybe legal permanent citizens or something like this, thatll be up to Congress to do that,\" Mullin said.

Mullin said Trump’s contacts with Democrats were limited to initial coordination. Mullin said no specific policy package had been discussed between Mullin and Trump. Mullin also kept opposition to amnesty as a firm position. At the same time, Mullin pointed to Congress as the body to decide any DACA-related legal changes.

With inputs from PTI