A prolonged battle over President-elect Donald Trump's plan to toughen U.S. immigration policy could leave millions of people living in the U.S. in limbo for years — uncertain if they will actually be able to stay in the country, CNN reported.
Trump's hardline stance on immigration was one of the key issues in his presidential campaign. About 700,000 undocumented immigrants came to the U.S. as children and are now protected by a deferred action program set up by President Barack Obama, according to CNN.
Another 4-5 million were eligible for protection under a similar program for parents of U.S. citizens that was blocked by federal courts.
Trump has indicated recently he might not take quite as strong a stand on at least some issues involving immigration, the cable news network reported.
"We're going to work something out that's going to make people happy and proud," Trump said of those brought to the U.S. as children, who meet certain education and work requirements.
"They got brought here at a very young age, they've worked here, they've gone to school here. Some were good students. Some have wonderful jobs. And they're in never-never land because they don't know what's going to happen."
CNN reported Trump is faced with a number of potential battle fronts as he gets set to revise U.S. immigration policy, including:
- Executive Actions — He has already vowed to roll back Obama's immigration executive actions on his first day, which would include deferred action, according to CNN. He could also order federal agencies to strongly enforce deportation orders and immigration laws.
- Legislation — Building a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border — another Trump campaign pledge — would likely require money from Congress. And CNN noted legislation would also be likely for limiting the number of visas given to those entering the U.S. legally.
- Sanctuary Cities — Some state and local governments are already gearing up for a fight with the federal government by designated themselves as "sanctuaries" and will not help the federal government enforce immigration laws.
- The Courts — The issues of sanctuary policies will likely end up in court, as will some other immigration issues, CNN reported.
Meanwhile, the Voice of America also reported Trump is pulling back from some of his immigration policies he proposed while running for the White House.
While noting Trump is still vowing to cancel some of Obama's executive orders, the VOA reported he is "suggesting a willingness to compromise."
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