Spicer: Focus Currently on Immigrants with Deportation Orders

The White House spokesperson says that the focus of government and law enforcement agencies is currently on deporting illegal immigrants who have been issued deportation orders, which includes between 800,000 to 900,000 individuals. Sean Spicer, in his press briefing on February 23, responded to a question regarding "legal immigration" to the U.S. and potential changes in related laws by stating that the U.S. government "looks at issues based on priorities." According to Mr. Spicer, "We currently have millions of illegal immigrants [in the U.S.]. In my opinion, the focus remains on the 800,000 to 900,000 individuals who have been ordered to be returned, and the enforcement of this is aimed at maintaining security in the U.S." The White House spokesperson mentioned that the issue of legal immigrants and matters such as reforms in the U.S. visa issuance process are "completely separate issues," but currently, "priorities" are being discussed "whether regarding [legal or illegal] immigrants." A day before Mr. Spicer's latest briefing, the Department of Homeland Security intensified the process of deporting illegal immigrants by issuing two new orders. This action ultimately affects about 11 million foreign nationals in the United States. President Donald Trump has emphasized that deporting illegal immigrants is essential for maintaining security and other issues such as creating job opportunities for citizens, and this matter has been prioritized since the early days of Mr. Trump's administration. However, some politicians and civil groups have criticized the immigration and visa orders issued by the government. The Department of Homeland Security, in an order issued on Tuesday, also instructed the planning and construction of a border wall between the U.S. and its southern neighbor, Mexico, a wall that the Mexican government has emphasized it will not pay for. The U.S. President claims that Mexico will pay for the wall's construction. The White House spokesperson faced a question in his press briefing regarding Mexico's reaction to illegal immigrants being sent back. One reporter quoted the Mexican government as stating that they will not accept any expelled non-Mexican citizens. In response, Sean Spicer said that the U.S. Secretaries of State and Homeland Security are in discussions with Mexican officials. He did not provide further details on this matter. The U.S.-Mexico border is 3,200 kilometers long, part of which is currently fenced or walled. According to estimates by the U.S. Department of Commerce in 2010, nearly 350 million people cross this border legally each year, which has made it known as the "busiest border in the world" in the first decade of the new century.