Trump Softens Stance on Illegals Without Criminal Records

Donald Trump clarified his stance on immigration during a Wednesday interview, saying he'll deport illegals who have a criminal record in the United States and "work with" the others.

 

Trump added there will not be an amnesty option in his plan should he win the presidency.

 

"No citizenship," the Republican nominee told Fox News' Sean Hannity when asked whether he would soften his stance on illegals who have lived peacefully in the U.S.

 

"Let me go a step further — they'll pay back-taxes, they have to pay taxes, there's no amnesty, as such, there's no amnesty, but we work with them."

 

Trump said those with criminal records would be removed from the country.

 

"Now, everybody agrees we get the bad ones out," he said, reports Politico. "But when I go through and I meet thousands and thousands of people on this subject, and I've had very strong people come up to me, really great, great people come up to me, and they've said, 'Mr. Trump, I love you, but to take a person who's been here for 15 or 20 years and throw them and their family out, it's so tough, Mr. Trump.'

 

"I have it all the time! It's a very, very hard thing."

 

"It's so hard for the police too — if somebody is protected between the sanctuary city nonsense. We got to get rid of the sanctuary cities, we're protecting these people," the real estate mogul added. "We're protecting criminals. And the police, who are phenomenal people, they're at a point where they almost give up. They catch them, they have them, they know they did it and then they know nothing is going to happen. You know, OK, so if you're a killer and you're in this country, they go after you big league and it's tough. If you're a killer and you're an illegal immigrant, the police don't know what to do."

 

Trump canceled an immigration speech that was scheduled for Thursday as he works with his new campaign leaders to clarify his policy and message on the subject.

 

Trump said Monday he will follow existing immigration laws if he becomes president.