US President Donald Trump has admitted that his administration’s deportation policy may have been too strict, saying some immigrants who had good jobs and were contributing to the economy were removed simply because they entered the country illegally.
Speaking in an interview, Trump said the crackdown on illegal immigration had both helped and hurt him politically, noting that while he received high marks for securing the border and removing criminals, the treatment of other immigrants had attracted criticism.
He cited people working in hotels, landscaping companies and other businesses, some of whom had lived in the US for 10 to 15 years and paid taxes, but were still deported because of their immigration status.
“I think it was too tough. I think it might be too tough, yeah,” he said when asked whether his deportation policy had gone too far.
Trump suggested that his administration could work with Democrats on an arrangement that would allow some immigrants who had lived and worked in the country for years to obtain legal status.
He maintained that criminals, drug dealers and other dangerous individuals should be removed, but said there was room to consider allowing long-term immigrants who had established themselves in the country to remain.
