House Speaker Paul Ryan said Sunday he does not envision the nation’s estimated 11 million illegal immigrants being rounded up and deported by the federal government and said he does not support the idea.
During an appearance on “60 Minutes” on CBS, Mr. Ryan was asked about GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump’s calls on the campaign trail for mass deportations — in particular whether he sees that as something that will happen on his watch as House speaker.
“I can’t imagine how it could happen — so no,” Mr. Ryan said.
The Wisconsin Republican recently was elected as the successor to former House Speaker John A. Boehner, Ohio Republican.
Mr. Ryan said the nation must first secure the its borders and called for a vibrant legal immigration system.
He said he does not agree with granting pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants.
Mr. Ryan said he supports a pathway to legal status, which he described as a “way to make amends with the law — effectively going on probation, and earn your way to legal status, but not to citizenship.”
Asked whether he advocates rounding up 11 million illegal immigrants and deportation them, Mr. Ryan responded, “I do not.”
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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