US President Donald Trump stated that he could reach a deal with the Democrats that would allow certain immigrants to remain in the United States. In an interview with CBS, he said that his deportation policy may have been too strict and that it affected voter support for Republicans.
As reported by the Chicago Events portal, Trump said on the program “60 Minutes,” aired on November 8: “I think we may have been too strict.” He assessed that mass deportations negatively affected voter support, especially when they included people who have lived and worked in the US for years, and linked the deportation policy to the Republicans’ defeat in the November 3, 2026 elections.
The President said that individuals who have committed serious crimes must be deported, but hinted at a different approach toward immigrants employed in hotels, landscaping companies, and other sectors, especially if they pay taxes.
After the elections, the Democrats took control of both houses of Congress, and Trump expressed confidence that he could reach an immigration agreement with them. However, he did not explain what status the included immigrants would receive or who would qualify.
Trump appointed Stephen Miller, one of the main architects of the strict immigration policy, as the new White House Chief of Staff. Democratic leader Chuck Schumer stated that this appointment does not indicate a change in policy, but rather its further entrenchment, while the Democrats announced increased oversight of ICE and the Department of Homeland Security.
The President’s statements do not currently mean a change in law or a halt to deportations. Any potential agreement would require a concrete proposal, political support, and the adoption of appropriate measures.
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