White House denies telling GOP to change tune on mass deportations ahead of midterms

The White House says its position on immigration enforcement hasn’t changed, pushing back after a report suggested officials urged Republicans to soften their rhetoric around mass deportations.

A spokesperson said the administration remains focused on removing illegal immigrants who commit crimes, even as messaging discussions continue among lawmakers.

“Nobody is changing the Administration’s immigration enforcement agenda,” White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said.

She added that deporting criminal offenders remains the central goal of the administration’s policy.

“President Trump’s highest priority has always been the deportation of illegal alien criminals who endanger American communities," Jackson told The National News Desk.

The comments came after a report by Axios said James Blair advised House Republicans to shift how they talk about immigration enforcement. According to the report, Blair urged lawmakers to focus public messaging on deporting violent offenders rather than using broader language about mass deportations.

The White House, though, says the policy itself remains unchanged.

Jackson also cited figures from the Department of Homeland Security regarding deportations carried out during the current administration.

"As the Department of Homeland Security has repeatedly said, approximately 70% of deportations to date have been illegal aliens with criminal records.”

Immigration enforcement was a central issue during Donald Trump’s presidential campaigns. In both the 2016 and 2024 elections, Trump ran on a platform promising a tougher approach to illegal immigration, including construction of a wall along the southern border.

Administration officials say millions of migrants have already left the country since Trump returned to office.

“Thanks to President Trump’s strong immigration enforcement policies, approximately 3 million illegals have left the United States, either through forced deportation or self-deportation, with zero illegals coming through the most secure border in U.S. History for nine straight months,” Jackson told The National News Desk in a statement.

The White House says enforcement actions and border restrictions have contributed to the decline in illegal crossings during that period.