Trump Calls Democrats, Republicans to Negotiating Table on DACA, Border Security

Trump Calls Democrats, Republicans to Negotiating Table on DACA, Border Security
President Donald Trump speaks at H&K Equipment in Coraopolis, Penn., on Jan. 18, 2018. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)
Jasper Fakkert
1/23/2018
Updated:
1/24/2018

President Donald Trump said in a tweet that he hopes to see Democrats and Republicans at the negotiating table now that the government shutdown has ended.

Hours earlier, Democrats in the Senate decided to end a three-day government shutdown by agreeing to a deal with the Republican leadership to keep the government funded through to Feb. 8.

Last week, Democratic Senators voted against a continuing resolution that would have funded the government because no agreement was yet reached on Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

“Big win for Republicans as Democrats cave on Shutdown. Now I want a big win for everyone, including Republicans, Democrats and DACA, but especially for our Great Military and Border Security. Should be able to get there. See you at the negotiating table!,” Trump wrote on Twitter on Jan. 22.

Trump has said that he is open to a solution on DACA, which gave nearly 800,000 illegal immigrants who arrived in the country as children temporary protection from deportation and work permits.

Trump ended DACA last year, citing that continued deferred action was unconstitutional and would not hold up in court. Instead, he asked Congress to come up with a permanent solution.

As part of any agreement on DACA, he has demanded the construction of a wall on the southwest border as well as changes to the immigration system—including an end to chain migration and the Diversity Visa lottery.

Democrats have so far not agreed to increased border security in exchange for a deal on the so-called DREAMers, a potential key voting bloc for them.

The average age of a DACA recipient is 25, with the oldest around 37, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

As a result of the shutdown, parts of the government were forced to close with thousands of federal employees forced to stay home. Pay for military service members was suspended during the government shutdown.

“We will vote today to reopen the government, to continue negotiating a global agreement, with the commitment that, if an agreement is not reached by Feb 8th, the Senate will immediately proceed to consideration of legislation dealing with DACA. The process will be neutral & fair,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote on Twitter.

Trump also cited a Tweet from CNN White House reporter Jim Acosta who had written that the president had won, and the Democrats had “gambled and lost.”

“Even Crazy Jim Acosta of Fake News CNN agrees: “Trump World and WH sources dancing in end zone: Trump wins again...Schumer and Dems caved...gambled and lost.” Thank you for your honesty Jim!,” Trump wrote on Twitter.

Jasper Fakkert is the Editor-in-chief of the U.S. editions of The Epoch Times. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication Science and a Master's degree in Journalism. Twitter: @JasperFakkert
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