2 immigration bills seek Trump’s nod

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump created some confusion Friday over Republican efforts to push immigration legislation through the House, saying he won’t sign a “mod- erate” package. He later seemed to back off but stopped short of specifically endorsing the measure.

The confusion happened as GOP leaders put finishing touches on a pair of Republican bills: a hard-right proposal and a middle-ground plan negotiated by the par- ty’s conservative and moderate wings. Only the compromise bill would open a door to citizenship for young immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children and ease the separation of children from their parents when families are detained crossing the border — a practice that has drawn bipartisan condemnation in recent days.

“I’m looking at both of them,” Trump said when asked on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends” about the two bills. “I certainly wouldn’t sign the more moderate one.”

Top congressional Republicans and White House aides struggled to understand Trump’s comment. Hours later, he tweeted that

bill “MUST HAVE” provisions financing his proposed wall with Mexico and curbing the existing legal immigration system. Those items are included in the middle-ground package.

“Go for it! WIN!” Trump wrote.

A senior White House official said the tweet was designed to signal his support. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to address the matter publicly by name.

The official said Trump made his earlier comment because he thought his Fox interviewer had asked about an effort by GOP moderates — abandoned for now — that would have likely led to House passage of liberal-leaning bills party leaders oppose. The interviewer had specifically asked whether he would sign “either one” of the two bills Republicans lined up for votes next week.