Republican senators are coming out in support of the White House framework for immigration reform released Thursday.
A number of GOP senators released statement on Thursday supporting the president's call for increased border security and a path for citizenship for nearly two million undocumented immigrants.
The White House announced Thursday that President Trump
Donald John TrumpTrump: If there's no wall, there's no DACA fix Trump appears to call out Samsung over missing FBI text messages Trump Commerce pick told lawmakers he would look at reversing Obama move on internet oversight: report MORE would support a 10-12 year path to citizenship for the country's 1.8 million undocumented immigrants who were protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program or were eligible for such protection. In addition, Trump wants $25 billion for a "border wall system" that could include fencing or other security measures on the border.
In response, several GOP senators quickly released statements praising Trump's proposed framework, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellTrump: If there's no wall, there's no DACA fix Schumer: Democrats 'cut the best deal we could' Dems sour on shutdown tactics MORE (R-Ky.)
"I want to thank President Trump and his administration for their work on this important issue. This framework builds upon the four pillars for reform that the president has consistently put forth, and indicates what is necessary for the president to sign a bill into law," McConnell said in his statement
Similarly, immigration hawk Sen. Tom Cotton
Tom CottonDems sour on shutdown tactics Senate faces difficult path to immigration deal Schumer comes under fire over funding deal MORE (R-Ark.) praised the president's plan as "generous and humane" and Georgia Sen. David Perdue (R) called it "a good deal."
Looks like both @SenTomCotton & @sendavidperdue are on board with the WH immigration proposal: pic.twitter.com/58kw98nXpe
— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) January 25, 2018
North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis
Thomas (Thom) Roland TillisSenate faces difficult path to immigration deal Trump’s former chemical safety nominee leaving EPA Trump talks immigration with Joe Manchin, Doug Jones MORE (R) called the president's plan "realistic" and called on Congress to get it done.
"Congress needs to get this done for the good of our nation," he wrote.
My statement on the White House #immigration framework. Congress needs to get this done for the good of our nation. pic.twitter.com/qZ65jfXT5L
— Senator Thom Tillis (@SenThomTillis) January 25, 2018
Sen. Chuck Grassley
Charles (Chuck) Ernest GrassleyTrump talks immigration with Joe Manchin, Doug Jones Former Comey aide grilled by House panel for over seven hours Overnight Regulation: Trump creates new religious protections for health workers | Senate confirms FCC commish to full term | Mulvaney asks Fed to withhold additional consumer bureau funds MORE (R-Iowa), who chairs the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee, said that Trump's plan accomplished both law enforcement and humanitarian goals.
"We all agree that Congress needs to act to address those who were brought here illegally through no fault of their own, but we also must make sure that other young people don’t find themselves in the same legal limbo in the future," he said. "President Trump’s framework accomplishes these goals and gives federal law enforcement the crucial authorities needed to target criminals."
Sen. James Lankford
James Paul LankfordTrump talks immigration with Joe Manchin, Doug Jones Congress looks for way out of government shutdown Hopes fade as shutdown clock ticks down MORE (R-Okla.) said that the White House's decision would provide "certainty" to families affected by the Trump administration's decision to end the DACA program last year.
“I applaud the White House for offering a solid framework for immigration reform that provides a responsible solution for DACA, border security, and other immigration issues," Lankford said.
"This framework provides certainty for families, enacts common-sense reforms to nuclear family sponsorship policy, and protects our nation."
Not all GOP senators were on board with the proposal to extend a path to citizenship for DACA recipients, including immigration hardliner Texas Sen. Ted Cruz
Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzTrump Commerce pick told lawmakers he would look at reversing Obama move on internet oversight: report Overnight Regulation: Trump’s former chemical safety nominee leaving EPA | Senate confirms Powell as Fed chair | NTSB 'gathering information' on Tesla crash Overnight Finance: Senate confirms Powell as Fed chair | Mulvaney declares 'new mission' for consumer bureau | Trump says solar tariffs will boost jobs MORE (R).
“I do not believe we should be granting a path to citizenship to anybody here illegally,” Cruz told reporters, according to Bloomberg. “Doing so is inconsistent with the promises we made to the men and women who elected us.”