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Trump: Border deal with Democrats ‘probably won’t happen’

by Zack Budryk - 06/23/19 12:41 PM ET

President Trump tweeted Sunday that the deal in Congress he delayed a series of planned immigration raids to wait for “probably won’t happen.”

“I want to give the Democrats every last chance to quickly negotiate simple changes to Asylum and Loopholes. This will fix the Southern Border, together with the help that Mexico is now giving us. Probably won’t happen, but worth a try. Two weeks and big Deportation begins!” Trump tweeted Sunday.

I want to give the Democrats every last chance to quickly negotiate simple changes to Asylum and Loopholes. This will fix the Southern Border, together with the help that Mexico is now giving us. Probably won’t happen, but worth a try. Two weeks and big Deportation begins!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 23, 2019

{mosads}The Trump administration had threatened a serious of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids targeting several major cities Sunday that would have resulted in the deportation of as many as 2,000 families, but on Saturday Trump announced the raids would be postponed for two weeks to allow congressional Democrats to negotiate.

Democrats have argued the administration is not arguing in good faith on the issue, with House Armed Services Committee Chair Adam Smith (D-Wash.) telling CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday “Democrats do not trust this president to implement a humane policy when it comes to the immigrants.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who called the planned operation “heartless,” reportedly interceded with Trump Friday night, speaking to the president for about 12 minutes to urge him to call off the planned raids in 10 major cities.

Aides to House Democrats told CNN they were similarly skeptical Trump would keep his word even if a deal was reached. In February 2018, the White House threatened to veto a Democratic proposal that would have expanded border security and partially funded a wall on the U.S./Mexico border in exchange for continuation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

Rev. Ryan Eller, executive director of the immigration advocacy group Define American, blasted the tweet in a statement to The Hill.

“Whether the administration does it today or two weeks from now, this is immoral and inhumane,” Eller said. “This attack — even just the media frenzy around planned immigration raids this past week — is an attack on our neighbors, our friends, and our countrymen and women. The presidency is not a reality TV show and the president needs to stop the division and lying, stop the chaos, and, stop putting children in concentration camp detention centers.”

Tags Adam Smith Donald Trump Nancy Pelosi