Trump: New Immigration Approach Will Remain Strict, Include ‘Softer Touch’
Federal immigration officials are adapting their techniques amid heightened tensions, President Donald Trump told NBC News’ Tony Llamas in an interview released Feb. 4.
“I learned that maybe we could use a little bit of a softer touch. But you still have to be tough,” Trump said. “We’re dealing with really hard criminals.”
The shooting deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal authorities are complicated matters, according to the president.
“He was not an angel, and she was not an angel,” Trump said. “I’m not happy with what happened there, but I’m going to always be with our great people in law enforcement. If we don’t back them, we don’t have a country.”
Earlier in the day, border czar Tom Homan announced the drawdown of 700 immigration officers from Minnesota, citing “unprecedented cooperation” from local government and law enforcement officials.
“This is smarter enforcement, not less,” Homan told reporters at a Minneapolis press conference.
Trump said he directed the adjustments to staffing and deployment.
The president also announced changes Jan. 31 to engagement protocols for federal officers, who will no longer intervene with protests in Democrat-run cities unless invited. Agents will continue to protect and defend federal property nationwide.
Response tactics evolved during weeks of weeks of confrontation, as federal and state officials clashed on how best to manage the situation.
Trump described private conversations with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey as positive.
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