US CONGRESS MULLS ‘BILL OF LOVE’ FOR IMMIGRANTS
WASHINGTON— US President Donald Trump hit the US court system after it stopped his plans against young immigrants while he pushed a “bill of love” on immigration issues, including a wall along the US border with Mexico.
“It just shows everyone how broken and unfair” the court system is, Trump tweeted on Wednesday after US District Judge William Alsup prevented Trump from ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (Daca) program while lawsuits were pending.
Trump complained that those opposed to his policies “almost always” win in the federal court district that includes Alsup.
‘Irreparable harm’
The judge ruled that young immigrants “were likely to suffer serious, irreparable harm” if Daca was stopped while their cases were pending.
But it was not yet clear what effect the ruling might have on congressional negotiations seeking a compromise on immigration issues.
During a meeting at the White House, Trump said an immigration deal could be reached in two phases—first by a “bill of love” that addresses young immigrants and border security.
Then a second bill covering contentious issues involving 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States.
“I’ll take all the heat you want [for both Republicans and Democrats],” Trump told about two dozen congressmen. “But you are not that far away from comprehensive immigration reform.”
Republicans will need Democratic votes to prevent a federal shutdown in 10 days, but Democrats threatened to withhold their votes without an immigration agreement.
Four areas
After the meeting, the White House and lawmakers said there was agreement to limit the immediate bill to four areas: border security, family-based “chain migration,” a visa lottery and how to revive the Daca program.
That Obama-era program provides about 800,000 so-called Dreamers a shield from deportation and the right to work legally but Trump claims Obama exceeded his authority on Daca.
However, Trump also showed flexibility on his bill of love and even offered willingness to compromise on his plan to build a wall along the border with Mexico.—