Mullin Says Congress Could Consider Permanent DACA Status

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said Congress could consider granting permanent legal status to some recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, while insisting the Trump administration would not permit amnesty. He said President Donald Trump had encouraged him to engage with Democrats seeking immigration legislation, but the two had not discussed specific policy changes.

Mullin made the remarks Monday to reporters at a counterdrone conference in Maryland. He said Democrats he had worked with previously had contacted him about possible cooperation. He told Trump about the outreach, and the president responded that they should begin working with the Democrats and meet later, Mullin said.

Mullin described a possible route for DACA recipients to become legal permanent residents or citizens as a matter for Congress to decide. He did not outline eligibility requirements, a timetable or the terms of any proposal. His comments indicate openness to discussing permanent status, not an agreement or a formal plan.

DACA, created in 2012, provides eligible people brought to the United States as children with temporary protection from deportation and...