Koch groups push last-minute DACA deal

The Koch network is pushing congressional leadership to agree to protections for certain young immigrants in exchange for border security funding in a must-pass government spending bill.

Organizations supported by conservative mega-donors Charles and David Koch sent House and Senate leadership a letter Tuesday calling on both parties to accept a deal that would provide citizenship for 1.8 million so-called Dreamers — young immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children — if it includes $25 billion in border security funding.

“We believe this is a reasonable proposal – one that should be supported by the president and members of Congress in both parties,” reads the letter.

{mosads}”We encourage you to use your leadership positions to support its inclusion in the upcoming omnibus appropriations bill.”

The same groups came out Monday encouraging President Trump to support such a deal, which was reportedly floated in talks over the weekend.

The letter was signed by Brent Gardner of Americans for Prosperity, Daniel Garza of The LIBRE Initiative and Nathan Nascimento of Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s now time to cast aside partisan differences and support a solution that provides certainty for Dreamers, who were brought as children to the United States and seek the opportunity to apply their skills and talents in this country,” they wrote.

“Please don’t let this opportunity pass,” they added.

The White House and congressional Democrats tried to overcome the impasse on immigration over the weekend.

Democratic leaders reportedly floated the border-security-for-Dreamers offer, but were rebuffed by the White House.

That’s made many Democrats skeptical that a deal can be reached with immigration hawks, who, citing the White House’s statement of principles on immigration, have asked for an expanded deal.

“It’s not what they want. They want to end legal immigration. They’ve been very, very clear in every conversation and every negotiation. They were offered $25 billion, so why continue a conversation about things we’re not going to negotiate?” asked Rep. Luis Gutiérrez (D-Ill.).