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A4 U.S. NEWS
Wednesday 20 June 2018

Trump, GOP leaders strain for migrant-kids solution

By LISA MASCARO and behind a different ap-
ALAN FRAM proach. Theirs is narrow
Associated Press legislation proposed by
WASHINGTON (AP) — Re- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, that
publican lawmakers and would allow detained fami-
President Donald Trump lies to stay together in cus-
searched Tuesday eve- tody while expediting their
ning for a way to end the deportation proceedings.
administration’s policy of Cruz’s bill would double the
separating families after il- number of federal immigra-
legal border crossings, with tion judges, authorize new
their focus shifting to a new temporary shelters to house
plan to keep children in migrant families and limit
detention longer than now the processing of asylum
permitted — but with their cases to no more than 14
parents. days — a goal immigrant
GOP leaders and lawmak- advocates say would be
ers, increasingly fearful difficult to meet.
of voter reaction in No- “While cases are pending,
vember, met with Trump families should stay togeth-
for about an hour at the er,” tweeted Cruz, who is in
Capitol to try to work out an unexpectedly tough re-
some resolution. Trump told In this Sunday, June 17, 2018, file photo provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, people election battle.
rank-and-file Republicans who’ve been taken into custody related to cases of illegal entry into the United States, rest in one The second-ranking Senate
he was “1,000 percent” of the cages at a facility in McAllen, Texas. Republican, John Cornyn
behind them on their rival Associated Press of Texas, said they’re pro-
immigration bills. But it was outcry over images of chil- could simply reverse the the closed-door meeting in posing a “humane, safe
unclear if that’s enough dren taken from migrant administration’s “zero tol- the Capitol basement, he and secure family facility”
of a strategy boost to pass parents and held in cages erance” policy and keep was confronted by about where parents and minor
legislation through the di- at the border. But they are families together. But some a half-dozen House Dem- children could be detained
vided GOP majority. running up against Trump’s worry the lack of a clear ocrats, who yelled, “Stop together. Senate Majority
“We had a great meeting,” shifting views on specifics resolution could exacer- separating our families!” Leader Mitch McConnell,
he called out as he left. and his determination, ac- bate an already tough situ- House GOP leaders scram- R-Ky., told reporters he’s
Leaders in both the House cording to advisers, not to ation as his party heads to- bled Tuesday to produce a reaching out to Democrats
and Senate are struggling look soft on immigration or ward difficult midterm elec- revised version of a broader for bipartisan backing,
to shield the party’s law- his signature border wall. tions. During the closed- immigration bill to include a since the proposal would
makers from the public Many lawmakers say he door session, Trump said his provision to resolve the situ- need to reach a 60-vote
daughter, Ivanka, told him ation of family separations. threshold to advance in
the situation with families at The major change unveiled that chamber. But Senate
the border looks bad, one Tuesday would loosen rules Democratic leader Chuck
lawmaker said. that now limit the amount Schumer of New York sig-
Paradise in the Caribbean “He said, ‘Politically, this of time minors can be held naled that no such support
is bad,’” said Rep. Randy to 20 days, according to would be coming, say-
Weber, R-Texas. “It’s not a GOP source familiar ing it’s already in Trump’s
about the politics, this is the with the measure. Instead, power to keep the families
right thing to do.” the children could be de- together.“There’s no need
But Trump touched on tained with their parents for for legislation. There’s no
many topics, including extended periods. need for anything else. You
Trump’s historic visit to The revision would also give can do it. Mr. President, you
North Korea. And he took the Department of Home- started it, you can stop it.”
a jab at Rep. Mark Sanford, land Security the authority However, Trump, who has
congratulating the South to use $7 billion in border been watching the cover-
Carolina Republican on technology funding to pay age play out on television
his recent campaign, ac- for family detention cen- with increasing anger, has
cording to those granted ters, said the person, who told confidants he believes
anonymity to discuss the was not authorized to dis- the news media are de-
private meeting. Sanford, cuss the matter by name liberately highlighting the
a frequent Trump critic, lost and commented only on worst images — like the
his GOP primary after Trump condition of anonymity. cages and screaming tod-
SALES OFFICE +297 2801005 info@leventaruba.com tweeted against him. In the Senate, meanwhile, dlers — to make him look
MOBILE +297 5927275 www.leventaruba.com As Trump walked out of Republicans are rallying bad.q