Sen. Dick Durbin told reporters Friday that he was unhappy with President Trump’s usage of the term “chain migration” during policy negotiations because it’s possibly “painful” for minorities.
A Chicago press conference on immigration negotiations exploded on social media and cable news because of Mr. Trump’s alleged reference to “s—hole” nations, but Mr. Durbin also lamented references to “chain migration” because the word ’chain’ may conjure up images of slavery to minorities.
“I said to the president [during negotiations], ’do you realize how painful that term is to so many people? African-Americans believe they migrated to America in chains, and when you speak to chain migration it hurts them personally,” Mr. Durbin said, the Daily Caller reported.
Mr. Trump allegedly deadpanned, “’Oh, that’s a good line.’”
The Illinois Democrat plans to introduce legislation next week that would encourage chain migration.
A bipartisan bill related to young illegal immigrants would extend legal status to roughly 800,000 people and “as many members of their families as possible,” Mr. Durbin said.
SEE ALSO: Dick Durbin insists Donald Trump used vulgarity to describe African countries
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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