A Big League Border Overhaul?

Trump will work with Congress on immigration overhaul, spokesman avers

A White House that swept to power with hardline immigration rhetoric and kind words for Russia, on Wednesday expressed a willingness to work with lawmakers on an immigration overhaul, and said some existing sanctions on Russia should remain in place.

President Donald Trump has issued executive actions aimed at jump-starting a massive wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, stripping federal funding for so-called sanctuary cities, and banning immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries.

But his press secretary, Sean Spicer, indicated Wednesday the new president knows a soup-to-nuts overhaul of immigration policy requires him to sign legislation after both chambers pass it.

“I don’t think that anybody doubts the president’s concern or priority that is placed on immigration. He’s talked about ... building a wall,” Spicer said.

“He’s talked about walking through the process and addressing DACA ... in time,” referring to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program former President Barack Obama instituted to protect from deportation undocumented individuals brought to the United States as children.

Spicer, Trump’s top spokesman, said the president is “walking through this already both in terms of executive action, and then will continue to work through Congress,” he said.

Asked if the real estate mogul-turned-president intends to be involved in the border wall’s design, Spicer smiled wide and replied, “The president’s a builder.”

Trump plans to remain in “close touch” with Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, whose agency will oversee construction and enforcement. The president intends to “make sure it meets his specs,” Spicer said.

On Russia, a country with which Trump wants warmer relations despite howls from congressional Republicans, Spicer said sanctions put in place on Russia over its annexation of Crimea should remain in place until Moscow gives up that part of Ukraine.

Another issue on which Trump might clash with his own party: historically black colleges and universities.

Trump intends to propose ramping up federal funding for historically black colleges and universities in his first budget request, Spicer said — though the White House has yet to say when it might send its spending blueprint to Congress. Trump believes those institutions have been “woefully” underfunded and ignored in recent years, he added.

Link to Article: http://www.rollcall.com/news/politic...ation-overhaul

dont know what that daca statement means but immigration reform cant be done by piecemeal, other parts need other aspects to support each other for a complete overhaul.

"in time..."

Hopefully it is a measured approach.

Yeah basically this. Polarization of politics has basically became one giant game of "fuck you I got mine". Democrats won't sign off on the wall without legalization. Republicans won't sign off on legalization without a wall. Neither side trusts the other and they have no reason why they should.

So I hope they come down somewhere to the middle with a bullshit wall that will get holes blown into it with IEDs and us getting permanent status... One year of 245(i) even.

The part of a statement where he said... "The immigration system is broken.." at least the acknowledge that.

Positive comments do not mean anything but I will take whatever at this point.

Something is just off......trump is looking to take executive action on daca? As much as i need daca and want to believe this guy has "alot of heart" . Based on the way he acts unfortunately this doesnt look good.

Well, so far he has taken action on everything he said he would. Maybe that will include working out something good for us like he's publicly said he would several times now. He could "end DACA" and allow those in it already to be grandfathered in for renewals "until congress works something out." That would be the most logical solution that would satisfy the most amount of people. His racist base might still complain, but at that point Trump can point to all the other stuff he's done against immigration and basically tell them this is a "good deal".

The way I took the statement about DACA was that they are working on something that will need congressional approval. That can only mean some form of legalization because you don't need congress to boot us out. And it does say he will continue to work with congress on our issue, kind of implying that there will be something left of DACA to continue in the first place. That last part might be wishful thinking on my part, but it's thoughts like this that are helping me sleep at night.

You are right, im trying to stay positive, its just all these reporters asking speicer(the way they ask:when will they end daca), then his cabinet picks, and the way he acts to journalists. The fact that he wants to show weekly a list of crimes commited by illegal immigrants shows that he wants to make immigrants look bad. Theres going to be tough times ahead, whatever happens i hope everyone makes it and we all get thru this administration. It makes me sad sometimes seeing how people see immigrants.