Trump’s immigration positions ‘uninformed’, says chief of staff

AT ODDS US president has thus far displayed no patience for his team members differing from him publicly

Some of US President Donald Trump’s campaign promises on immigration, including the wall along the border with Mexico, were “uninformed” and his position on some related issues have evolved, chief of staff John Kelly told lawmakers on Wednesday during immigration negotiations.

This could put Kelly at odds with his boss, who has displayed no patience for members of his team differing with him publicly. However, there was not a word from Trump or the White House so far on Kelly’s remarks, reported The Washington Post.

Kelly also said Trump’s position on DACA — Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which protects from deportation undocumented immigrants brought to the US as children — had evolved. He is no longer opposed to legitimising their stay, as he was while a candidate.

The reports did not indicate if Kelly’s assessment of Trump’s “uninformed” positions on immigration extended to H-1B visas.

Kelly confirmed his remarks in an interview to Fox News, Trump’s go-to news channel, saying, “He has evolved in the way he looks at things. Campaign to governing are two different things and this president has been very flexible in terms of what’s in the realm of the possible.”

His first remarks came at a closed-door meeting with the Hispanic congressional caucus over at Capitol Hill. According to the Post, Kelly, in response to a question about the wall, said, “Certain things are said during the campaign that are uninformed.”

“A concrete wall from sea to shining sea” is not going to happen, Kelly is reported to have said, adding that the administration was certain Mexico will never pay for the wall directly.

He also said the government was focussing on the situation of Dreamers — undocumented immigrants brought to the US as children.

WASHINGTON: