Trump: DACA deal presented to me ‘was a big step backward’

President Trump early Friday blasted the bipartisan deal to provide protections to young immigrants known as “Dreamers,” saying the version lawmakers presented to him on Thursday was “a big step backwards.”

“The so-called bipartisan DACA deal presented yesterday to myself and a group of Republican Senators and Congressmen was a big step backwards. Wall was not properly funded, Chain & Lottery were made worse and USA would be forced to take large numbers of people from high crime countries which are doing badly,” Trump wrote over a series of tweets.{mosads}

“I want a merit based system of immigration and people who will help take our country to the next level. I want safety and security for our people. I want to stop the massive inflow of drugs. I want to fund our military, not do a Dem defund…Because of the Democrats not being interested in life and safety, DACA has now taken a big step backwards. The Dems will threaten ‘shutdown,’ but what they are really doing is shutting down our military, at a time we need it most. Get smart, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” he continued.

The so-called bipartisan DACA deal presented yesterday to myself and a group of Republican Senators and Congressmen was a big step backwards. Wall was not properly funded, Chain & Lottery were made worse and USA would be forced to take large numbers of people from high crime…..

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018

….countries which are doing badly. I want a merit based system of immigration and people who will help take our country to the next level. I want safety and security for our people. I want to stop the massive inflow of drugs. I want to fund our military, not do a Dem defund….

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018

….Because of the Democrats not being interested in life and safety, DACA has now taken a big step backwards. The Dems will threaten “shutdown,” but what they are really doing is shutting down our military, at a time we need it most. Get smart, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018

Trump’s comments come as a bipartisan group of senators works to reach a deal to protect Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program recipients as part of a government funding bill. Lawmakers are scrambling to reach a deal by Jan. 19, when government funding runs out and a government shutdown would occur. 

The president has demanded that in exchange for DACA protections, the bill must also include a border security package with funding for a border wall with Mexico and changes to the State Department’s diversity visa lottery program and family-based immigration policies.

Senators said Thursday that they had reached a deal, but they are now faced with pushback from both Trump and party leadership.