Outrage among Donald Trump's hardcore supporters after President agrees immigration deal that does not include border wall

Trump: The President is facing criticisim after senior Democrats revealed he had 'backed' the legislative deal
REUTERS
Chloe Chaplain15 September 2017

A row has erupted among Donald Trump’s key supporters after senior Democrats suggested the President has backed a deal protecting thousands of young immigrants from deportation.

Trump’s backers have accused him of not being credible after it emerged that he has pledged to protect young immigrants as part of a deal that does not include the building of the much-promised US border wall.

The legislative deal - the Dream Act - would allow the children of illegal immigrants to continue to study and work in the US.

It would apply to the 800,000 young undocumented immigrants, dubbed Dreamers, who were protected under Barack Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (Daca) programme.

Agreement: House Minority Leader Democrat Nancy Pelosi discussed DACA with reporters
EPA

Trump reportedly agreed to pair the Dream Act with some form of border security, but this would not include his key campaign pledge – a US-Mexico border wall.

Senior Democrats, Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi told reporters that they reached an agreement with President Trump to enshrine the programme’s politics into law in conjunction with some form of border security.

The President denied that a deal had been reached in a series of Tweets this morning, saying: “Massive border security would have to be agreed to in exchange for consent. Would be subject to vote.”

He also said renovation of the border wall would “continue”.

But later added: “Does anybody really want to throw out good, educated and accomplished young people who have jobs, some serving in the military? Really!

“They have been in our country for many years through no fault of their own - brought in by parents at young age. Plus BIG border security.”

In response to the Democrats’ announcement, former Trump campaign adviser Sam Nunberg, said: “The reality is sinking in that Trump administration is on the precipice of turning into an establishment presidency.”

And Republican Steve King tweeted about the Associated Press reports on the bipartisan deal: “If AP is correct, Trump base is blown up, destroyed, irreparable, and disillusioned beyond repair. No promise is credible.”

Conservative radio talk show host Laura Ingraham added: “Exactly what @realDonaldTrump campaigned on. Not. BUILD THE WALL! BUILD THE WALL! … or … maybe … not really.”

Following the meeting, a statement released by Mr Schumer and Ms Pelosi: “We had a very productive meeting at the White House with the President. The discussion focused on Daca.

"We agreed to enshrine the protections of Daca into law quickly, and to work out a package of border security, excluding the wall, that’s acceptable to both sides. We also urged the president to make permanent the cost-sharing reduction payments, and those discussions will continue.”

A more vague White House statement said: “President Donald Trump had a constructive working dinner with Senate and House minority leaders, Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi, as well as administration officials to discuss policy and legislative priorities. These topics included tax reform, border security, Daca, infrastructure and trade.”

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