Mullin: No Amnesty After Midterms

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said on Monday that the White House is willing to begin discussions with Democrats on immigration policy. He stated that the administration has not yet finalized any specific policy changes following the midterm elections.

Mullin spoke to reporters on the sidelines of a conference in the Washington, D.C. suburbs. He noted that the administration’s tone on deportations has shifted since the election. President Donald Trump told the television program “60 Minutes” on Sunday that the current deportation policy was too aggressive for voters.

The secretary said he has received calls from Democratic colleagues from his time in Congress. He told the president that these conversations are happening. Trump reportedly replied that the team should start working with Democrats and meet at a later date. Mullin said that is the current extent of the discussion.

Mullin emphasized that his side of the deal includes a firm rejection of amnesty. He described amnesty as a long-standing red line for Republicans. He said, “Amnesty's never going to be a solution. We’re never gonna allow amnesty to happen. So that’s a full stop.”

The secretary, who previously served as a U.S. senator and house representative, said he believes a bipartisan approach is the only way to pass immigration reform. He pointed to his past work with Democrats on the issue as proof that cooperation is possible. He said he is in favor of finding a path for DACA recipients to become legal permanent citizens, but he left that decision to Congress.

Trump elevated Stephen Miller to chief of staff after the election. Miller is considered the key architect of the administration's immigration crackdown. Mullin called Miller an excellent choice in a social media post last week. The administration continues to balance strict enforcement with new signals of openness to negotiation.