Trump admits mistakes in immigration policy

US President Donald Trump has acknowledged that his administration's immigration policies have been seen as too harsh by voters, and that the controversial policy of mass deportation of immigrants was one of the reasons for the Republican Party's poor performance in last week's midterm elections.

Trump made these remarks in his first television interview since losing control of the House of Representatives and Senate in last week's midterm elections. 

He said on CBS's "60 Minutes" program, airing Sunday (November 8), that some voters were unhappy with his administration's anti-immigration crackdown, which has sparked widespread protests across the United States.

"I think the policy was maybe too harsh," Trump said.

He also sees the possibility of reaching a compromise on immigration with the new Democratic-controlled Congress. Trump said, "We can reach a solution. I think it's possible to implement it."

Meanwhile, before the interview aired, Trump appointed Stephen Miller, one of the key architects of the hardline immigration policy, as White House chief of staff. He replaces Susie Wiles. The appointment has raised questions about the future direction of the Trump administration's immigration policy.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer responded to the issue on social media. He said that Trump has admitted that his anti-immigration campaign went too far. Yet as a solution, he has put the person responsible for that campaign in the White House. This is not a change in policy, but a promotion.

During the election campaign, Trump promised to crack down on immigration. He blamed illegal immigrants for the rise in crime in the United States, referring to them as "murderers" and "drug dealers."

After returning to power, his administration launched a massive campaign to detain and deport immigrants in various US cities, resulting in a significant increase in the number of arrests.

Two US citizens, Renee Goode and Alex Pretty, were shot and killed by federal officers during protests against these operations.

Democrats have said they will prioritize oversight of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security in the new Congress.

 Source: Al Jazeera