Trump mixes softer rhetoric for some immigrants with threats to citizenship, he told The New York Times

In an interview with The New York Times, President Trump said his administration was examining criteria for stripping some naturalized Americans of their citizenship, defended an ICE agent who killed a woman in Minneapolis and offered no regrets about aggressive enforcement tactics, while at times adopting a softer tone toward some immigrants.

Mr. Trump said he would “possibly, possibly” support a plan that includes a pathway to citizenship and that Dreamers should feel “safe,” adding that he would “love to be able to do something for them” and that he “would love to have a comprehensive immigration policy. Something that really worked.” He acknowledged directing ICE to scale back raids in agriculture, service and hospitality industries and praised immigrant workers, saying farmers hiring them were “almost like a member of the family.” He also said the administration was focusing on the Somali community in its review of naturalization cases.

Those comments frequently conflicted with actions his administration has taken since he returned to office nearly a year ago: agents have targeted immigrants brought to the country as children, asylum has been largely shut down at the border, the refugee program has been gutted and the administration has made it harder for many foreigners seeking work.

Mr. Trump said he did not disagree with Stephen Miller, calling him “a very strong voice,” and he said agents should not pursue immigrants based on race or ethnicity alone.

Key Topics

Politics, Donald Trump, Citizenship Revocation, Ice, Daca, Dreamers