WASHINGTON _ President Donald Trump on Thursday defended his negotiations with Democratic leaders on immigration, as some of his most prominent supporters denounced any deal that would legalize the status of hundreds of thousands of young immigrants who are in the country illegally.
"We're working on a plan _ subject to getting massive border controls. We're working on a plan for DACA," Trump told reporters as he prepared to fly to Florida to inspect hurricane recovery efforts.
DACA is the acronym for the Obama administration program that shielded from deportation nearly 800,000 young immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children, the so-called Dreamers. Trump last week said he would phase out the program, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, starting in six months and called on Congress to provide a solution.
"People want to see that happen," Trump said, referring to a legislative solution for the Dreamers. "You have 800,000 young people, brought here, no fault of their own. So we're working on a plan, we'll see how it works out. We're going to get massive border security as part of that. And I think something can happen, we'll see what happens, but something will happen."
Whether a bill actually can pass _ getting by the multiple minefields that have exploded immigration agreements repeatedly over the past 15 years _ remains to be seen.
On Capitol Hill, many Republicans who have opposed immigration measures in the past suggested they might go along now in deference to Trump.
But news that Trump was negotiating a deal on DACA with House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., generated a furious response from some of Trump's most ardent supporters.
"Amnesty Don ... Trump Caves on DACA," screamed the headline on Breitbart, the conservative website run by Stephen K. Bannon, Trump's former chief strategist.
Conservatives who favor immigration restrictions repeatedly have used the accusation of "amnesty" to sink efforts in Congress to pass legislation that would legalize the status of any residents who entered the country without permission. During the campaign, Trump also spoke frequently against amnesty and said even Dreamers would have to leave the country.
Throughout the morning Thursday, Trump sought to defend himself against charges that he was breaking his promise. Responding to a shouted question as he left the White House about whether he favors "amnesty," Trump shouted back: "The word is DACA."
Later as he arrived in Florida, Trump amplified that defense.
"We're not looking at citizenship. We're not looking at amnesty. We're looking at allowing people to stay here," he said. "We're talking about taking care of people, people who were brought here, people who've done a good job."
Trump also talked about the importance of his long-sought wall along the U.S. border with Mexico, but notably did not say that money for it would have to be part of a DACA deal, which Democrats have insisted they would not agree to.
"Very important is the wall. We have to be sure the wall isn't obstructed," he said. "It doesn't have to be here (in the DACA deal), but they can't obstruct the wall if it's in a budget or anything else."
"We'll only do it if we get extreme security, not only surveillance but everything that goes with surveillance," he said.
Trump also said he had briefed House Speaker Paul D. Ryan, R-Wis., and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., on his discussions with the Democratic leaders and that they were "on board."
McConnell's office released a statement Thursday morning that offered lukewarm support for the emerging deal.
"As Congress debates the best ways to address illegal immigration through strong border security and interior enforcement, DACA should be part of those discussions. We look forward to receiving the Trump administration's legislative proposal as we continue our work on these issues," the statement said.
Among Democrats, several, especially on the party's left, expressed skepticism that Trump would actually follow through.
"It entirely depends on what we mean by 'some' security," said Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz.
Pelosi, at a news conference, sought to quiet fears on her side.
"I trust the president, in that regard," she said.
Some of Trump's supporters in Congress who have opposed immigration legislation in the past seemed resigned to a deal.
"This is an opportunity for all of us," said Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Pa., an early Trump backer. "A perfect trade."
Trump is "frustrated" with gridlock in Congress, and you "can't blame him," Barletta added.
Others remained adamantly opposed to any agreement that would legalize the status of the Dreamers, but admitted that with Trump's blessing, it might be hard to stop.
A deal will be "harder to resist," with Trump on board, said Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, one of the most stalwart immigration restrictionists in the House.
On Wednesday, as talk of a possible deal circulated in Washington, one of the leaders of the immigration-restriction movement worried aloud about the president's negotiating skills.
"Trump has no idea what he's up to, in my opinion. He's like a person who walked into a used car lot thinking he's going to get home without buying anything and Chuck Schumer is there to sell him a car," said Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Washington-based Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates for restrictions on legal and illegal immigration. "Chuck Schumer knows the immigration issue both in the policy and the political sense. Trump has no idea."
Some of Trump's longtime supporters expressed outrage over the deal, but blamed the GOP congressional leadership, not Trump, saying that its inability to pass legislation had left the president no choice but to negotiate with Democrats.
Sean Hannity, the Fox commentator and one of Trump's most loyal supporters, likened the president's negotiations to President George H.W. Bush's breaking of his "no new taxes" pledge _ a decision that led to a conservative revolt that doomed Bush's presidency.
"And if @POTUS doesn't keep that promise, and goes for amnesty, it will be the political equivalent or (sic) 'read my lips, no new taxes,'" he tweeted.
Ann Coulter, the conservative commentator who already has been critical of Trump, went the furthest, calling for Trump's removal from office.
"At this point, who DOESN'T want Trump impeached? If we're not getting a wall, I'd prefer President Pence," she wrote.
The negotiations that sparked the furor took place over dinner Wednesday night. Shortly after leaving the White House, Pelosi and Schumer issued a statement outlining the agreement they had reached with Trump.
Thursday morning, they amplified that statement with a more detailed account.
"As we said last night, there was no final deal, but there was agreement on the following: We agreed that the president would support enshrining DACA protections into law, and encourage the House and Senate to act."
"What remains to be negotiated are the details of border security, with a mutual goal of finalizing all details as soon as possible," they added.
The deal would not include money for the border wall, they said, adding that Trump "made clear he intends to pursue it at a later time, and we made clear we would continue to oppose it."
"Both sides agreed that the White House and the Democratic leaders would work out a border security package. Possible proposals were discussed including new technology, drones, air support, sensor equipment, rebuilding roads along the border and the bipartisan McCaul-Thompson bill," a reference to a border security measure that passed the House in July.
