Donald Trump raised the possibility of an ICE deal with Democrats on immigration during a recent 60 Minutes interview. In response, several of his strongest supporters voiced immediate criticism. The president reflected on his administration’s deportation policies after the Republican Party’s midterm losses. While defending his border record, Trump acknowledged that some long-term undocumented immigrants who have built lives in the U.S. could potentially remain under a future agreement.
What the president said about ICE and deportations on 60 Minutes
During his interview with 60 Minutes, Donald Trump defended his immigration record, saying he deserved high marks for securing the southern border and removing criminals. However, he also admitted his deportation policy “might be too tough” in some cases.
Trump pointed to undocumented immigrants who have worked for years in industries such as landscaping and hospitality. He said many Americans believe those individuals should be allowed to stay if they are working, paying taxes, and have otherwise stayed out of trouble. When asked whether a bipartisan agreement was possible, Trump replied that such a deal was “actually doable.”
Those remarks quickly triggered backlash from several conservative commentators and supporters on X. Fox News commentator Tomi Lahren argued that people who entered the country illegally should not receive any form of legal protection. She wrote that deportations had “not gone nearly far enough” and warned the comments could encourage future illegal immigration.
The official White House Rapid Response account quickly pushed back against the criticism. They emphasized that Trump never used the word “amnesty” during the interview and strongly rejected claims of an endorsement.
Conservative X user CaliCraftsman also criticized Trump’s remarks. He claimed that describing legal status without using the word “amnesty” failed to change the proposal’s substance. The user compared Trump’s comments to immigration proposals previously backed by Rep. María Elvira Salazar.
Meanwhile, Singer Mary Millben, however, welcomed Trump’s remarks. She praised the president for acknowledging the policy had become “too tough.” She urged him to adopt a more humane approach toward non-violent undocumented immigrants. Millben also criticized White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, blaming him for shaping the administration’s immigration policies.
