Activists say Trump’s message on immigration needs solid proposals

In an interview with 60 Minutes that aired Sunday, President Donald Trump said he is considering a deal on immigration. After the massive defeat of Republicans during the midterm elections, Trump accepted that his tough immigration rules hurt him.

But after calling the Democrats to congratulate them, he said he also mentioned he’s willing to work with them. 

“I’d love to do something on immigration," Trump said. 

On Monday during a press conference, however, he said there would be no amnesty. 

While some people have high hopes, pro-immigration activists say there has to be a cautiously celebratory moment and increase organized pro-immigration movements.

Juan José Gutierrez, executive director of Coalition for Full Rights for Immigrants, said nothing should be taken for granted until there’s palpable action. He said while the intention sounded okay in words, Trump has made similar unfulfilled promises in the past. 

In 2017, Trump said he wanted to end the suffering of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and nothing happened. In April 2025, he announced he wanted to fix farmworkers' legal status because businesses’ economy and agriculture were suffering. Then, in June of that year, he said he would expand his compromise to hospitality workers but took no tangible action.

“There’s no concrete legislation or information. Who will benefit and what type of benefits are being included? Is it a temporary protection? A work permit or something more permanent like an amnesty?” Gutierrez asked.

Council of Mexican Federations in North America (COFEM) Executive Director Francisco Moreno said Trump fears more retaliation against his party because of his actions.

“The first thing that led Republicans to this situation is the high prices due to the inflation because of wars and, secondly, immigration,” Moreno said. “This violence has been very tough and he recognized that he overdid it. But we also know the president, today he says one thing and tomorrow he says something else.”

This reconciliation with the Democratic Party is in the right direction, according to Moreno, but now he has to show something more solid, like existing legislation. One option is the Dignity Act(H.R. 4393), a comprehensive bipartisan immigration reform bill co-authored by Congress members Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Veronica Escobar (D-TX). 

Another option is the American Dream and PromiseAct(H.R. 1589), which combines the Dream Act for DACA recipients and the Promise Act for TPS holders. If approved, the bill could legalize up to five million people. 

The organization United We Dream shared in a post that, as of now, the legislation has secured 217votes and needs just one more Republican vote to bypass House leadership and bring the bill to a direct floor vote.

U.S. Senator for California Alex Padilla posted on social media, “A pathway to citizenship for immigrants who have spent years working hard, paying taxes, and strengthening our communities.”

Organizational movements 

Gutierrez said Trump needs to start announcing his negotiation plans and who he is speaking with — for example, whether he has been in contact with Congress, like majority leader Chuck Schumer or minority leaders.

“And then to show his efforts are in good faith, we have to know if he’s ordering ICE and other federal agencies to stop indiscriminate and illegal raids because they violate the Constitution,” Gutierrez said. 

Moreno said this is the best time to continue the national movement because of the increased immigration detentions, the unfounded killings and the inexplicable deaths inside of detention centers.

“This has captivated not only U.S. citizens, but also Republicans who have seen innocent people die and this is the moment to start acting,” Moreno said. “I have been trying to do my best to call on other organizations because this is the moment when we have to start advocating for an immigration reform.”

Gutierrez said that now immigrants are getting the government’s attention, and this is when pro-immigration organizations unite.

“This is the only way our representatives in Congress pay attention after we gave them our vote. Now if President Trump puts a plan on the table, they can take into consideration what we want to solve the problem [of immigration],” said Gutierrez.