House and Senate Republican leaders praised a proposal leaked by the Trump administration that would offer a pathway to citizenship to 1.8 million illegal immigrants, many who arrived in the U.S. as children, and also deliver the tough border reforms Republicans have been demanding for years.
“We’re grateful for the president showing leadership on this issue, and believe his ideas will help us ultimately reach a balanced solution,” House Speaker Paul Ryan tweeted Thursday evening.
Praise from Ryan and other Republicans showed the bill stands a real chance of moving in Congress, although it will also need support from Democrats.
Trump administration officials provided an overview of the proposal Thursday to some Republican staff. The deal includes at least the authorization of $25 billion for border security that includes construction of a southern border wall. It also calls for a modification to chain migration that would limit it to spouses and minor children, and would end the visa lottery system.
The pitch earned praise from one of the staunchest immigration reform proponents in the Senate. The plan incorporates proposals put forward by Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., on chain migration and the visa lottery system.
“The president’s framework is generous and humane, while also being responsible,” Cotton said in a statement Thursday. “It protects those eligible for DACA, who are here through no fault of their own. But it also will prevent us from ending up back here in five years by securing the border and putting an end to extended-family chain migration.”
Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., who worked closely with Cotton on legislation to reform immigration to a skills-based system, gave it a flat-out endorsement.
“The White House framework is something that both Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate should be eager to support,” Perdue said. “We all want a good deal, and here it is.”
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said the proposal signals “what is necessary” for lawmakers to pass if they hope for Trump to sign it into law.
“I am hopeful that as discussions continue in the Senate on the subject of immigration, Members on both sides of the aisle will look to this framework for guidance as they work towards an agreement,” McConnell said.
Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., a moderate and key House negotiator, called Trump’s pitch, “a serious proposal,” that showed he is serious about finding a way to deal with 1.8 million young people who came to the U.S. illegally.
