Mullin: Trump open to immigration talks, but amnesty off the table
The Homeland Security secretary told reporters Monday that the president is ready to engage Democrats post-midterms, though no specific policy changes have been drafted yet.
By Simon Bennett ·
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said Monday that President Donald Trump has not yet outlined specific immigration policy changes following the midterm elections. The administration is currently shifting its posture on enforcement as it prepares to negotiate with Democratic lawmakers.
Mullin confirmed that the president is willing to work with Democrats on the issue. He noted that since the election, he has received calls from former congressional colleagues who worked with him on bipartisan legislation. Mullin told reporters at a conference in Forest Heights, Md., that he has relayed this outreach to Trump.
"I've let the president know that those calls are coming in. And the president has said, you know, let's start working with them and then let's meet at some point. So that's the extent of the conversation," Mullin said. "We haven't had any conversation just on policy."
Despite the open door for dialogue, Mullin maintained a firm stance against amnesty for individuals living in the U.S. illegally. He described the concept as a "full stop," indicating it would not be part of any final agreement. This position aligns with a long-standing Republican boundary that has historically complicated legislative efforts.
The secretary pointed to DACA as a potential area for future congressional action. He suggested that if lawmakers pursue immigration reform, they could determine a path for DACA recipients to become legal permanent citizens or attain similar status. Mullin emphasized that such decisions would rest with Congress rather than the executive branch.
The potential for cooperation has drawn scrutiny given recent personnel changes. President Trump appointed Stephen Miller, a primary architect of the administration's strict enforcement tactics, as chief of staff last week. Mullin called Miller an "excellent choice" in a social media post, though questions remain about how a hard-line enforcement strategy will coexist with bipartisan negotiations.
Mullin, a former senator and representative, argued that a bipartisan approach is the only viable method for passing immigration legislation. He spoke to reporters on the sidelines of a conference focused on drone and counter-drone technologies in the Washington, D.C., suburbs.
