Donald Trump completely changed his mind about immigrants in 3 years

Trump unveils 10-point plan on illegal immigration in Phoenix in 2016.
(Image credit: DAVID CRUZ/AFP/Getty Images)

Donald Trump has made the expulsion of undocumented immigrants a major part of his campaign, but just a few short years ago he had a radically different opinion on the matter, CNN has discovered.

Trump explained that he didn't believe in deporting immigrants in a June 2012 interview with CNBC's Squawk Box: "You have people in this country for 20 years, they've done a great job, they've done wonderfully, they've gone to school, they've gotten good marks, they're productive — now we're supposed to send them out of the country, I don't believe in that, Michelle, and you understand that. I don't believe in a lot things that are being said," Trump said.

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.