Stephen Miller, the incoming deputy chief of staff at the White House, visited Capitol Hill on Wednesday to seek assistance in outlining President-elect Donald Trump’s ambitious mass deportation initiative.
A former member of Trump’s initial administration, Miller urged Republican lawmakers to unite and swiftly advance immigration-related legislation during a meeting with the Republican Study Committee members.
According to sources present, he emphasized that lawmakers should focus on determining a funding figure that would enable the administration to execute mass deportations of undocumented individuals.
“He highlighted the financial burden of immigration on our nation, using the scenario where an undocumented person has four children who access the same benefits as American citizens, such as healthcare and education,” Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) shared with the Daily Beast, noting that no specific immigration proposals were detailed during their discussion.
“He welcomed questions but stressed the urgency of taking action. With Trump set to take office, now is the moment to act,” Norman added. “There is a consensus that we have a limited timeframe and must come together.”
“He insisted that we all need to unite,” another lawmaker remarked.
Miller’s visit at the RSC lunch occurs as Republicans begin to formulate strategies for a comprehensive reconciliation bill—an avenue that permits the ruling party to circumvent the Senate filibuster—with immigration policy anticipated to play a significant role in this legislation.
It is highly improbable that Democrats will support the proposal Republicans present, which complicates its prospects for success.
Republican lawmakers find themselves navigating a delicate margin, with leadership charged with unifying their members around a substantial bill expected to encompass contentious issues that have previously divided various factions within the GOP.
Recently, Trump informed GOP senators of his intention to enact an executive order concerning deportations on his first day in office, as reported first by the Associated Press.
