Pelosi, Dems accuse GOP of moving goalposts on DACA deal

Source: The Hill




BY MIKE LILLIS - 01/11/18 05:32 PM EST

House Democrats are amplifying their concerns with an emerging immigration agreement, accusing President Trump and Republican leaders of moving the goalposts in the 11th hour of the debate.

Democrats are increasingly indignant that Republicans are insisting protections for the so-called Dreamers — immigrants brought to the country illegally as kids — be combined not only with enhanced border security, but also two additional provisions: a reduction in family migration, and a scaling back of the diversity visa program.

The top Democrats — Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) — have claimed they reached an agreement with Trump in September that included the first two elements of the package, but not the last pair. ”The goal posts have moved,” said Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.).

Senate negotiators — who have worked for months trying to secure a bipartisan deal protecting those eligible for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program — said Thursday that they’ve secured a preliminary deal. But the rising concern from Democrats in the lower chamber — combined with early pushback from the White House — could complicate the effort to get the package across the finish line.


Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/house/368599-pelosi-dems-accuse-gop-of-moving-goalposts-on-daca-deal