Ivanka Trump said on Monday that Congress needs to come up with a long-term fix for the children impacted by her father’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Child Arrivals program.
‘I personally am of the opinion – the president has stated this – that we have to figure out a good solution that protects these innocent people, many of whom were brought to this country as children,’ the first daughter explained during a panel at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit.
She was speaking about the 800,000 ‘Dreamers’ who were brought to the United States at an age they couldn’t object and who – under an Obama-era executive order – were shielded from deportation.
Ivanka Trump said on Monday that Congress needs to come up with a long-term fix for the children impacted by her father’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Child Arrivals program
She was speaking about the 800,000 ‘Dreamers’ who were brought to the United States at an age they couldn’t object and who – under an Obama-era executive order – were shielded from deportation. She is pictured with Lockeheed Martin CEO Marilyn Herson
The presidential adviser and Donald’s eldest daughter said that ending DACA can’t be ‘bandaged over at the presidential level through another executive order that can be rescinded by a subsequent administration.’
She appeared on a panel at the summit on Monday morning which discussed the future of the American workplace – and spoke alongside Deloitte CEO Cathy Englebert and Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson.
And responding to a question about how individuals protected under the DACA fit into the workforce – she mentioned her support for comprehensive immigration reform.
‘I think that is the right approach because out system is flawed, and it is not equipped to handle the challenges,’ she said.
‘[Our] visa program is deeply flawed, we’re not retaining the best talent for the jobs that we need and that has to fundamentally be reconsidered.’
And responding to a question about how individuals protected under the DACA fit into the workforce – she mentioned her support for comprehensive immigration reform
The presidential adviser and Donald’s eldest daughter said that ending DACA can’t be ‘bandaged over at the presidential level through another executive order that can be rescinded by a subsequent administration.’ She is pictured with CEO’s of Deloitte and Lockheed Martin Cathy Engelbert and Marilyn Hewson, left to right
Ivanka, who is pictured on the panel, was responding to a question by the chair Nina Easton (far left) about how individuals protected under the DACA fit into the American workforce
Her comments about DACA mostly reflect what Trump has said about the program – much to the chagrin of some of their supporters.
When he announced he would be ending the program he said it will expire in March – and has said that congress should work to pass a replacement before the six-month deadline.
But on Sunday he made that much harder to do when he presented a list of demands that Congress must meet if they want something that would protect the Dreamers to pass.
Of those things are funding for a border wall, the ability to hire more ICE officers, and for stricter policies to keep unaccompanied minors – particularly from Central American countries – from coming to the US.
Ivanka’s comments about DACA mostly reflect what Trump has said about the program – much to the chagrin of some of their supporters
She appeared on a panel at the summit on Monday morning which discussed the future of the American workplace – and spoke alongside Deloitte CEO Cathy Englebert and Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson
In response to this list of demands Democrat leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer said it is an ‘anathema to the Dreamers, to the immigrant community and to the vast majority of Americans.’
On Monday it was also revealed that Ivanka has been lobbying on Capitol Hill to make sure an expansion of the current $1,000 child tax credit stays in her father’s new tax plan and that it’s big enough to matter.
Ivanka has been sharing messages on her social media – like the one above from her Snapchat – about her excitement at being involved in the Summit
Then there’s the added hurdle of getting the overall tax plan over the finish line – which is anything but a sure bet.
The eldest daughter has been wooing lawmakers and conservative advocacy groups behind closed doors and is expected to make her case in public as well, as part of a coordinated White House push for the tax overhaul.
All this as she tries to steer clear of the West Wing histrionics involving her father that have threatened to engulf her at times. She’s studiously sticking to her policy agenda, promoting issues such as STEM education and workforce development, while trying to tune out the noise.
‘A significant expansion of the child tax credit will help parents have more money at a time in their lives when they need it the most and give them the flexibility to make the best choices regarding their families’ care,’ Trump said in a statement to The Associated Press.
Trump stepped away from her executive roles at The Trump Organization and running her own fashion brand to join the administration, alongside husband Jared Kushner.
She has won some praise for advocating for issues not often high on the Republican agenda, but has also faced criticism from liberals who expected her to do more to temper her father’s conservative agenda.
A White House official who was not authorized to publicly discuss internal thinking said Ivanka Trump has welcomed the more disciplined West Wing structure put in place by chief of staff John Kelly, believing a more orderly decision-making process allows her to focus on her priorities.