Florida Representative Carlos Giménez (R) stated on Sunday that President Trump should work to "normalize" longtime immigrants residing in the United States amid the administration's ongoing mass deportation efforts. Speaking on CBS News's "Face the Nation," Giménez emphasized the need to differentiate between individuals with active deportation orders and those who have been part of the community and economy for years.

He cited Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients as a key example of immigrants who should be normalized. Established in 2012, DACA protects eligible immigrants brought to the U.S. as children from deportation and grants them lawful status and work authorization, both of which must be renewed every two years.

"Doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re going to be citizens at the end of the day, but to normalize them, so they can come out of the shadows, pay taxes, and then, you know, live their life without having, you know, fear of somebody coming up and … taking them away after 20-something years and separating from their children that they’ve had during that time, and so we have to find a solution," Giménez added.

Giménez urged both Democrats and Republicans to collaborate on a bipartisan solution for long-term residents wishing to remain in the U.S., acknowledging that any outcome will likely not satisfy all members of either party. He noted, "Everything, you know, whatever comes out of it, I’m sure, you know, the Democrats won’t like 100 percent of it, the Republicans won’t like 100 percent of it."

The comments come as the Trump administration increases removal efforts nationwide, creating uncertainty for many immigrants about their long-term legal status.

Sources