Many senators on both sides of the aisle are hoping President Trump uses his State of the Union address on Tuesday to urge a legislative path forward for protecting immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children. "If he made statements like we've heard at some other points, like 'with heart' and 'bill of love,' that kind of thing is helpful," Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) told Politico. Added Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.): "I think for people to be able to see his compassion he has for these children would be good."
Lawmakers in both parties on Sunday indicated that Trump's demand to sharply cut back legal immigration could prevent an immigration deal. Last week's outline from the White House, which promoted a pathway to citizenship for the 1.8 million DREAMers plus $25 billion for border security, was declared dead on arrival after being shot down both by immigration hardliners for providing amnesty, and by activists who deemed restrictions on family-based migration "hateful" and "xenophobic."
The White House has said the State of the Union speech is themed "building a safe, strong, and proud America."