WASHINGTON _ President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he would likely give Congress more time to pass legislation that would protect individuals brought to the United States illegally by their parents if lawmakers fail to act by his March 5 deadline.
His administration also intends to ask lawmakers to include $25 billion for his proposed southern border wall in any immigration bill they send him, along with another $5 billion for border security, Trump told a small group of reporters at the White House. Both allotments would then be placed in a "fund" that would be tapped for the border barrier project and enhancing border security, he added.
The president also appeared to endorse giving those now protected by the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program legal status. "We're going to morph into it," the president said, signaling he favors a 10-12 year path to citizenship. But a senior administration official later indicated the legal status grant would happen "immediately, if they behave themselves."
Trump said he would not guarantee that he would extend the March 5 deadline, but said "I certainly have the right to that, if I want."
The president popped in on a meeting between reporters and a senior administration official to preview an immigration overhaul legislative outline the White House will roll out Monday on the eve of his first official State of the Union address.
Trump expressed confidence that he and lawmakers can strike a deal, and offered a message to the 800,000 people now enrolled in the DACA program.
"Tell them not to worry," Trump said, wearing his dark overcoat en route to the White House residence just hours before he will depart for the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
The president did not want to wait until Monday, however, to lay out his priorities for any immigration bill. He told reporters any legislation must include three items: fixing DACA, a "negotiated" chain migration change, and the end of the visa lottery system.
"Well, it's got to go in a very strong forum, absolutely," he said of the latter when pressed. "I think even the Democrats know that the lottery system is not good _ it's a bad system."
Trump was also a bit unclear just how he wants the immigration issue to play out. "After we do DACA, we'll take a look at the even bigger immigration problem."
It was not clear whether he wants one bill or two.
He also sent a message to lawmakers about how integral a wall is to a broader deal: "I can tell you this: If you don't have a wall, you don't have DACA."
The president also said he would meet again with Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., despite their failed government shutdown-ending talks last week and his harsh words about his fellow New Yorker on Twitter since.
"I like him," the president said with a big smile, his arms out to the side in a dramatic gesture.
