White House says it will send immigration ‘framework’ to Congress

The White House says it will send a “legislative framework” to Congress on Monday in an effort to jump-start stalled negotiations on immigration.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Wednesday that the plan “represents a  compromise that members of both parties can support.” 

“We encourage the Senate to bring it to the floor,” she told reporters.

The spokesperson declined to reveal specifics about the plan, including whether it provides a pathway to citizenship for young immigrants who were brought illegally to the U.S. as children.

Sanders, speaking at the White House press briefing, would only say the framework would provide a “permanent” solution for young immigrants who benefit from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, the Obama-era initiative that President Trump scrapped.

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She said the measure will fulfill President Trump’s goals of securing the border, curbing family-based immigration and eliminating the diversity visa lottery that allows people from countries with low rates of immigration to the U.S. to apply for visas.

The announcement comes as lawmakers are struggling to resolve a partisan impasse on immigration and spending.

Congress must pass a funding bill before Feb. 8 to avert another government shutdown, and immigration issues have been contentious elements of ongoing negotiations.

Lawmakers are also facing pressure to pass a fix for DACA recipients before the program is scheduled to wind down on March 5.