Updated
US President Donald Trump has offered a plan to break the “logjam” in Congress over the US-Mexico border wall, including legislative relief for “Dreamer” migrants and offering $US800 million ($1.11 billion) in urgent humanitarian assistance.
Key points:
- Donald Trump offers three-year extension of legislative protection to ‘Dreamers’ as part of border-wall compromise deal
- Mr Trump also offers 75 new immigration judge teams to help with backlog of deportation court cases
- But Democrats look likely to reject deal out of hand as government shutdown continues
Dreamers — the children of illegal migrants brought into the United States — will be given a three-year extension to legislative protections allowing them access to work permits, social security numbers and protection from deportation.
The extension would affect some 700,000 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients.
Mr Trump also proposed a three-year extension of the temporary protected status (TPS) for the 300,000 immigrants whose protected status is facing expiration.
The plan also includes $US805 million ($1.12 billion) for drug detection technology in US ports, as well as 2,750 additional border agents and law enforcement professionals.
“The radical left can never control our borders. I will never let it happen,” Mr Trump said.
“Walls are not immoral. In fact, they are the opposite of immoral because they will save many lives and stop drugs from pouring into our country.”
What is a Dreamer?
- A child of unauthorised immigrants to the US
- Many have gone to school in the US and identify as American
- Takes its name from an unpassed 2001 bill that would allow pathway to US citizenship
- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) was designed to provide relief from threat of deportation
- A two-year, renewable DACA authorisation allows for reprieve from deportation, work rights, drivers’ licence and bank accounts
Source: National Immigration Law Centre
Mr Trump also added 75 new immigration judge teams would be recruited to reduce a backlog of “believe it or not, almost 900,000 cases” of deportation trials for illegal immigrants.
But Democrats look likely to reject the compromise offer, with House Leader Nancy Pelosi saying Mr Trump’s proposal is made up of proposals that have been rejected before.
“Democrats were hopeful that [Mr Trump] was finally willing to re-open government [and] proceed with a much-needed discussion to protect the border,” Ms Pelosi tweeted.
“Unfortunately, reports make clear that his proposal is a compilation of previously rejected initiatives.”
Mr Trump re-emphasised his desire to complete the border wall, noting the plan included $US5.7 billion ($7.95 billion) for physical barriers or a wall.
“Our request will add another [370 kilometres] this year in the areas our border agents most urgently need,” Mr Trump said.
“It will have an unbelievable impact. If we build a powerful and fully designed see-through steel barrier on our southern border, the crime rate and drug problem in our country would be quickly and greatly reduced.
“Some say it could be cut in half.”
More to come.
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