DHS Secretary Mullin faces pushback over legal status for DACA recipients

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin on Nov. 10 defended considering permanent legal status for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, while insisting the Trump administration would not accept an “amnesty” deal with Democrats. 

During Mullin’s appearance on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle,” host Laura Ingraham questioned why Republicans would pursue an immigration deal with Democrats following the midterm elections. 

“It seems like every time Republicans feel like they’re running into a rough spot, they rush to some type of immigration deal with a party that you yourself have said has no interest in lowering immigration, legal immigration, or enforcing the laws as they exist,” Ingraham said. “Why would any idea be floated to work with the Democrats on an issue that is their holy grail?”

“I think it depends on what you’re talking about,” Mullin responded. “If they want to talk about making people that enter this country here illegally legal, that’s a non-starter.” 

When Ingraham pressed him about DACA, Mullin said the program applies to people brought to the U.S. as children through no fault of their own. 

“I think there’s a part that we can look to say, ‘Listen, you’re not going to become citizens because you weren’t born here, but is there a path for you to be legal?’” Mullin said. 

DACA provides temporary protection from deportation and eligibility for work authorization to certain illegal aliens who arrived as children, but does not confer lawful immigration status.

Mullin added that the administration would first ensure any agreement had support from the President’s political base. 

“They’re not with you,” Ingraham interjected.

Mullin replied, “The President will not sign anything that isn’t in the right movement for this country and the Republican Party.”

He promised “zero change” to the deportation policy and said DHS was deporting roughly 3,600 individuals a day with no plans to slow down.

“The President has final say,” Mullin said, adding that Trump has “made it very clear” he’s focused on deporting the “worst of the worst.” 

As Zeale News previously reported, Mullin said Nov. 9 that Trump had encouraged him to begin discussions with Democrats who contacted him about immigration legislation. He told reporters the administration was “never going to allow amnesty to happen,” but nevertheless suggested Congress could consider a permanent status for DACA recipients.

>> Trump says ‘no amnesty’ after signaling openness to immigration deal with Democrats <<