Trump to DACA recipients: "You have nothing to worry about"
President Trump on Thursday appeared to reassure beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that they shouldn't worry about their future.
Mr. Trump tweeted that DACA recipients have "nothing to worry about" despite the fact that his administration is phasing out the program and a series of talking points advised them to self-deport.
For all of those (DACA) that are concerned about your status during the 6 month period, you have nothing to worry about - No action!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 7, 2017
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-California, told her colleagues at a whip meeting Thursday that she spoke to Mr. Trump in the morning on the phone and "asked him to tweet this to make clear DREAMers won't be subject to deportation" in the six-month window, a Democratic aide said.
A set of White House talking points that circulated around Washington Tuesday about DACA said that current recipients should be prepared to self-deport. The document, shared with CBS News, said that "The Department of Homeland Security urges DACA recipients to use the time remaining on their work authorizations to prepare for and arrange their departure from the United States -- including proactively seeking travel documentation -- or apply for other immigration benefits for which they may be eligible."
When the administration revealed the decision to rescind the program Tuesday, senior DHS officials said that their enforcement posture wouldn't change and that they will still prioritize undocumented persons who are criminals, illegal reentrants and people with outstanding orders of removal.
But the administration's policy, officials confirmed, is that anyone who is in the U.S. illegally should be prepared to no longer remain here.
Hours after the announcement was made, Mr. Trump said on Twitter that he might revisit the issue if Congress doesn't legalize the program, which Attorney General Jeff Sessions argued was unconstitutional.
CBS News' Nancy Cordes contributed to this report.