Republicans in Congress are apparently dangling a carrot in hopes of getting Democrats to sign off on the funding needed to build President Trump's border wall in South Texas, Newsradio 1200 WOAI reports.
In a meeting with Congress this week, the president made it clear he's standing by his call for $5 billion for border wall construction. At the same time, he says Republicans support a deal that includes protections for young migrants who were brought across the border by the parents, are allowed to stay in the United States as part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program.
"The United States needs a physical barrier,” President Trump told a Cabinet meeting. "We are in a shutdown because Democrats refuse to fund border security."
Trump said Democrats have an eye on the 2020 election.
"The wheel, the wall, some things never get old."The Supreme Court is set to rule on a phase-out of DACA, something the president is confident of winning.
“If we win that case - and I say this for all to hear - we’ll easily be able to make a deal on DACA and the wall as a combination.
"Luis Figueroa, the Legislative and Policy Director for the Texas-based left-leaning Center for Public Policy Priorities, says DACA has been a success for Texas.
"In terms of the resources they bring. In terms of the taxes they pay and the rent they pay."But he's doubtful that the so-called Dreamers would support a deal that included wall funding protection."
There is very strong concerns that enforcement means that you're demonizing one set of immigrants versus another set of immigrants."