Politics

Bannon Says ‘Amnesty Is Non Negotiable’

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Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon ruled out amnesty as a potential resolution to President Donald Trump’s six month phase out of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Sunday on CBS’ “Sixty Minutes.”

Bannon, who left the administration in late August, argued that the illegal immigrants protected from deportation under DACA will voluntarily deport themselves when their work visas provided through the program expire.

“As the work permits run out, they self deport. There’s no path to citizenship, no path to a green card and no amnesty. Amnesty is non negotiable,” Bannon told Charlie Rose.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced Tuesday the administration’s intention to eliminate DACA, which provided protection from deportation and a temporary work visa to roughly 800,000 immigrants brought to the country illegally as children.

Trump expressed hope that Congress would codify the protection offered to Dreamers before the six month period expired in a tweet sent hours after Sessions’ announcement. Days later Trump reassured those affected by the DACA roll back that they should not fear imminent deportation, claiming there would be no deportation effort over the next six months.

Bannon also took aim at GOP leadership, the Catholic Church and the media during his first television appearance. He attacked the Church’s position on immigration and said GOP leadership were not invested in advancing Trump’s agenda. Bannon also made clear that he views himself Trump’s ally going forward, acting in a protective role by publicly attacking Trump’s enemies in Congress.

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