President Trump is open to creating a a path to citizenship for the estimated 11 to 15 million immigrants who are currently in the U.S. illegally, the White House said Tuesday.
Trump hinted that he would be open to such a plan during a meeting with bipartisan lawmakers earlier in the day, telling Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., he would be willing to “take the heat” for what conservative critics would likely call a blanket amnesty.
“If you want to take it that further step, I’ll take the heat,” the president said. “You are not that far away from comprehensive immigration reform.”
“We’re certainly open to talking about a number of other issues when it comes to immigration,” White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters when asked if Trump is “firmly committed” to creating a path to citizenship.
The White House is currently working to extend legal status for young undocumented immigrants whose protections are set to expire on March 5.
Sanders said the president worked with lawmakers on Tuesday to narrow the scope of immigration reform to four pillars: the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, chain migration, the State Department’s visa lottery program, and border security.
