President Donald Trump defended his decision to end former President Barack Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, arguing Tuesday afternoon that it will be the "long-term right solution."
Trump spoke briefly to reporters about Attorney General Jeff Sessions' earlier announcement regarding DACA, Obama's program implemented via executive action that deferred deportation for certain illegal immigrants who entered the country as minors. Sessions announced DACA would be "wound down" over the next six months.
During a press pool, a reported asked Trump about the decision: "Mr. President, how should DACA immigrants be treated with heart?"
"I have a great heart for these folks we're talking about – a great love for them. And people think in terms of children, but they're really young adults. I have a love for these people, and hopefully, now Congress will be able to do something and do it right," Trump said.
Trump then echoed an argument he took during the 2016 campaign, and that was repeated during Sessions' statement on the DACA decision Tuesday. Trump said the order was not constitutional in the first place, which demanded action be taken.
"And really we have no choice, we have to be able to do something, and I think it's going to work out very well. And long-term it's going to be the right solution," Trump said.
The White House said Tuesday it is now the responsibility of Congress to address the issue lawfully, and take legislative action to address DACA recipients, the Washington Free Beacon reported.
"This is something that needs to be fixed legislatively, and we have confidence that they're going to do that, and we stand ready and willing to work with them in order to accomplish responsible immigration reform, and … DACA's certainly part of that process," White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said.