Trump Admits Mass Deportation Policy May Have Been Too Harsh

United States President Donald Trump has admitted that his administration's aggressive mass deportation policy may have been too harsh, acknowledging that the approach contributed to Republican losses in the November 3 midterm elections.

Trump made the remarks during an interview on CBS's 60 Minutes, which aired on Sunday, marking his first major television interview since Republicans lost control of both chambers of Congress.

Asked whether his deportation policy had gone too far, Trump said he believed the approach might have been excessively tough.

"I think it was too tough. I think it might be too tough, yeah," he said.

The President explained that while his administration received strong support for tightening border security and removing individuals involved in serious crimes, its enforcement measures also affected undocumented immigrants who had established jobs and paid taxes.

He acknowledged that the deportation of such workers had generated opposition among some voters, contributing to the political consequences for his party.

Trump said the immigration crackdown had both helped and hurt Republicans, noting that some Americans supported the removal of undocumented immigrants while others believed long-term residents with jobs should be allowed to remain.

He cited workers employed in landscaping companies, hotels and other businesses as examples of immigrants whose circumstances could warrant a different approach.

The President also expressed willingness to negotiate an immigration agreement with Democrats, who are set to control both chambers of Congress from next year.

He suggested that undocumented immigrants who had lived in the country for 10 to 15 years and maintained employment could be considered for an arrangement allowing them to remain legally.

Trump, however, maintained that individuals convicted of serious offences, including murder and drug trafficking, should continue to face deportation.

He described the possibility of reaching an agreement with Democrats as achievable, adding that some members of the opposition party had already contacted him.

The remarks followed Republican losses in the midterm elections, with immigration enforcement emerging as one of the issues that influenced voters' decisions.

However, the President's openness to negotiations came shortly after he appointed Stephen Miller, a key architect of his hardline immigration policies, as White House chief of staff.

The appointment has raised questions about whether the administration intends to significantly change its deportation strategy.

Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer criticised the decision, arguing that promoting Miller was inconsistent with Trump's suggestion that he was prepared to reconsider his immigration approach.

Democrats have also indicated plans to increase congressional oversight of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security when they assume control of Congress.