Trump Admits US Deportation Policy May Have Been Too Strict
US President Donald Trump has admitted that his administration’s deportation policy may have been too strict, acknowledging that some immigrants who had lived and worked in the country for years were deported despite contributing to the economy.
Speaking in an interview, Trump said his administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration had both helped and hurt him politically. He noted that while he received positive ratings for securing the US border and deporting criminals, the treatment of other immigrants had attracted criticism.
Trump cited immigrants working in hotels, landscaping companies and other businesses, explaining that some had lived in the United States for 10 to 15 years, paid taxes and contributed to the economy but were still deported because they entered the country illegally.
Asked whether his deportation policy had gone too far, Trump admitted that the approach might have been excessive.
“I think it was too tough. I think it might be too tough, yeah,” he said.
The US President also suggested that his administration could work with Democrats to develop an arrangement that would allow some long-term immigrants who had lived and worked in the country for years to obtain legal status.
However, he maintained that criminals, drug dealers and other dangerous individuals should continue to be deported, while indicating that consideration could be given to immigrants who had established themselves and contributed to American society.
Trump Admits US Deportation Policy May Have Been Too Strict