White House says Trump wants comprehensive immigration reform, not just DACA bill

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President Donald Trump makes an announcement on the introduction of the Reforming American Immigration for a Strong Economy (RAISE) Act in the Roosevelt Room at the White House on August 2, 2017 in Washington, DC.

President Donald Trump wants more than a bill from Congress addressing the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. He’s expecting a comprehensive immigration plan, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Tuesday.

The president, likewise, said in a tweet later Tuesday that he looks forward to working with both Republicans and Democrats on immigration reform.

Trump Tweet

Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced Tuesday that the DACA program would end in six months. President Barack Obama enacted it through an executive order, which the Trump administration says was unconstitutional. The delay is intended to give Congress time to draft and pass legislation addressing the program.

Trump indicated he was expecting a bill that would replace the executive order. He tweeted Tuesday morning, “Congress, get ready to do your job — DACA!” Sanders, however, made it clear he is expecting more.

“The president wants to see responsible immigration reform, and he wants that to be part of it,” Sanders said. “But again, we can’t take a one-piece fix. We’ve got to do an overall immigration reform that’s responsible, and frankly, that’s lawful.”

One aspect Trump wants included in any legislation is funding for a border wall, Sanders said.

“I don’t think the president’s been shy about the fact that he wants a wall, and certainly something he feels is an important part of a responsible immigration package,” she said.

Sanders would not say what would happen if Congress cannot pass an immigration law by Trump’s six-month deadline. She said it should do its job or “get out of the way and let someone else do it.”

When asked if Trump would veto a bill that only addresses DACA, Sanders said, “As I’ve said, we want responsible immigration reform, and that would be part of that package and part of that process