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President Trump highlighted family members of Americans killed by illegal immigrants during his speech, seeking to make an emotional appeal to build support for stronger border-control measures.

Trump met in the Oval Office ahead of the prime-time address with Jamiel Shaw Sr., whose son was shot by a gang member in Los Angeles in 2008, and Jessica Davis and Susan Oliver, who were married to California police officers killed in the line of duty in 2014. All three were guests in the presidential box in the House chamber, as Trump aimed to make a pointed message about the costs of illegal immigration a week after the Department of Homeland Security rolled out sweeping new enforcement guidelines.

Trump was joined several times on the campaign trail by family members of victims of crimes committed by illegal immigrants, including so-called angel moms, whose children had been killed. As president, Trump has pledged to raise their profiles, and the new DHS guidelines issued last week included a provision to create a new office to support such victims and their families.

I have ordered the Department of Homeland Security to create an office to serve American victims, Trump said in his speech to Congress. The office is called VOICE - Victims Of Immigration Crime Engagement. We are providing a voice to those who have been ignored by our media, and silenced by special interests.

Trumps spotlight on the victims families has sparked an outcry among those who charge the president is exaggerating the risks to sow public fear to make his proposals more politically expedient. Studies have shown that immigrants, including the estimated 11 million living here illegally, have lower crime rates than the native-born population.

On the campaign trail, Trump said he would seek to quickly deport between 2 million and 3 million immigrants with criminal records. But a study by the Migration Policy Institute found that 820,000 unauthorized immigrants had committed other crimes, including about 300,000 with felony records.

I want you to know - we will never stop fighting for justice, Trump said, addressing his guests. Your loved ones will never be forgotten, we will always honor their memory.

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Trump calls for creation of office to support victims of crimes by illegal immigrants - Washington Post

A White House official told television networks Tuesday that President Trump would like to see Congress work on a new broad immigration bill, reigniting a festering debate on Capitol Hill.

The revelation came from network anchors, who regularly meet with presidents ahead of big speeches to Congress though the official who made the statement was not named.

Mr. Trumps plan would allow illegal immigrants to live and work in the U.S., but would stop short of granting most of them full citizenship, CNN reported. Dreamers, the young adult illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. as children, would be an exception, likely eligible for full status.

The official said both sides would have to compromise.

White House deputy press secretary Sarah Sanders said she could not confirm the comments made during the luncheon. But she said massive reform of immigration laws has always been Mr. Turmps goal.

The president has been very clear in his process that the immigration system is broken and needs massive reform and hes made clear that he is open to discussions on that moving forward, she told reporters at the White House.

She said the presidents focus remains on border security and deporting illegal immigrations who commits serious crimes.

Those priorities have not changed, said Ms. Sanders.

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Trump open to legal status for illegal immigrants: report - Washington Times

There was a significant dip in illegal immigration across the southwest border during President Trumps first month in office compared to that of the last three months of Obamas presidency, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said.

In January, 31,575 individuals were taken into custody between ports of entry on the southwest border. That contrasts with an average of more than 45,000 for each of the previous three months, according to a CPB report released Monday.

The agency said that while it is experiencing a decrease in illegal attempts at entry, the overall total migration remains at elevated levels due to family units and unaccompanied children from three groups: Central Americans, Haitian nationals migrating from Brazil and Cuban nationals.

Jim Carafano, a security expert with the Heritage Foundation, said an assortment of factors could account for the change in numbers.

There are a lot of reasons why numbers go up and down, but some of it could be a reaction to statements from President Trump that were going to increase border security and seeing media reports that were going to get tougher on illegal immigration in the U.S. People may be more resistant to come, Carafano told Fox News.

You cant make too much of monthly numbers, but if you see the total lawful immigration population drop, that means youre doing something thats impacting the system overall.

A senior Trump administration officialsaid Tuesday that the president is considering legislation to provide a pathway to legal status, but not yet citizenship, for those currently in the United States illegally -- despite reports throughout his campaign for a mass deportation.

The senior administration official said that the president thinks it is time to push for an immigration bill.

Even still, plans to build a wall are underway, with the administration making its first steps to developing and implementing one of Trumps hallmark campaign promises.

Trump told the Conservative Political Action Conference last Friday that construction will start very soon and is way, way, way ahead of schedule.

Nevertheless, a White House spokesperson said Tuesday the president is open to having conversations about fixing Americas immigration system, but the primary focus now is on border control.

The White House said Tuesday afternoon that immigration will be mentioned in Trumps address to the joint session of Congress Tuesday night.

Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum anchor from Washington. Tune into Fox News Channel at 8:50pm ET for special coverage of President Trumps first address to the Joint Session of Congress.

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Big drop in number of illegal immigrants entering US through its southern border - Fox News

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On Wednesdays broadcast of MSNBCs Morning Joe, House Minority Leader RepresentativeNancy Pelosi (D-CA) stated that immigration reform that gives people in the country illegally legal status, but forbids citizenship is just not respectful, and not worthy of our country.

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After stating that she hopes President Trump is open to immigration reform, Pelosi was asked about whether she could live with a path to legal status for people in the country illegally. She answered, I think its more what our country is about. We have criticized other countries that said we utilize you as a workforce, but youre not fully present in our country. In my view, its very important for us to say the path to citizenship is the dignity that these people .

She added, [I]f its something that forbids citizenship, no, I couldnt sign on to that. If we want to talk about I think there are plenty of ways we can work in a bipartisan way on immigration. In fact, we have to.

When asked about a plan that would give legal status initially, and a potential path to citizenship down the road, Pelosi answered, Its always just a path. All weve talked about is a path to citizenship. But to be a country that says, we have not even second-class citizenship, because it isnt citizenship, its just not respectful, and not worthy of our country.

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Pelosi: Barring Illegal Immigrants From Citizenship Is 'Just Not Respectful, And Not Worthy of Our Country' - Breitbart News

Frank Cagle, Columnist 4:03 a.m. ET March 1, 2017

Frank Cagle(Photo: News Sentinel staff)Buy Photo

Since the North American Free Trade Agreement has been in effect for more than two decades, is it so unreasonable to suggest that it would benefit from a review and some amendments? The free trade fanatics go berserk at the very suggestion that our trade relations with Mexico need adjustment.

Mexico has had 23 years to benefit from open-border trade, yet its citizens still make the dangerous trek to try to illegally immigrate to the United States. That's because more than 50 percent of the Mexican population exists below the poverty level. Working conditions for American manufacturing plants in Mexico have done little to raise the standard of living for the average Mexican. At $1 an hour and no benefits, is it any wonder that American companies relocate there and ship their products back to us?

Could not the NAFTA treaty be amended to encourage Mexico to do more to curb illegal immigration? Why is it incumbent on the United States to try to stop illegal immigration when the country from which immigrants are fleeing is doing so little to improve the standard of living and seemingly making little effort to stop it?

Instead of President Donald Trump trying to make them pay for a wall, how about requiring that Mexico do more to make immigration less attractive? The original NAFTA agreement called for better labor and environmental standards in Mexico, which makes the U.S.more competitive. Mexico has largely ignored the requirements. Enforce them. Demand strengthening border security on the Mexican side. All of these issues could be dealt with in a renegotiation of NAFTA.

NAFTA also prohibited Mexican-based companies fromimporting parts and raw materials, from China for instance, another provision that is being ignored. Components are supposed to be from North America.

Those who would like to see comprehensive immigration reform have to realize that it will not happen until the American people are convinced we finally have control of the border. Previous reforms allowing permanent residency opened the floodgates for even more illegal immigration. A wall, a virtual wall, deporting illegals who are gang members and criminals, cooperation from the Mexicans via a re-negotiated NAFTA -- the American people have to be confident that any reform gets control of illegal immigration for good.

America needs legal immigrants from Mexico. Set up a system that allows people to come and work and then go home legally. Make it easier for legal immigration to occur from our nearest neighbor. But politically, demonstrated by Trump's major campaign theme, no solutions will be found until there is a system in place subject to the rule of law. And it starts with using NAFTA to bring Mexico to the bargaining table.

Frank Cagle is a columnist and former managing editor of the News Sentinel. He may be reached at efrankcagle@yahoo.com.

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Frank Cagle: Renegotiate NAFTA to fight illegal immigration - Knoxville News Sentinel