Mike Pence: Trump's immigration plan "will continue to be worked out"

Mike Pence on Donald Trump's immigration policy

Donald Trump is re-tooling his controversial immigration policy, which included a vow to deport 11 million undocumented immigrants. So what’s the new plan?

CBS News’ Major Garrett asked Trump’s running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.

MAJOR GARRETT: When it comes to deportations, can you explain to me Donald Trump’s immigration policy?

Questions grow over Trump's immigration plan

MIKE PENCE: Donald Trump put the whole issue of illegal immigration back in the forefront of the national debate through the Republican primaries and I commend him for that.

GARRETT: But there’s confusion in the last few days over what he actually means and what he intends to do.

PENCE: Well I think he’s been very clear that Donald Trump is gonna restore strong borders, enforce our laws. He’s gonna build a wall. 

GARRETT: Build a wall first, in other words?

PENCE:  We’re going to build a wall. We’re going to enforce the laws that are on the books today, Major. And the mechanism for how we do that -- he’s also been very clear that we’ll do it in a humane way.

GARRETT: But isn’t the mechanism important for people to understand?

PENCE: It’ll be tough but fair when Donald Trump is president of the United States.

CBS News

GARRETT: Can you explain what tough and fair means when it comes to deportations?

PENCE: I think those are issues that will continue to be worked out in the days ahead. 

Where Donald Trump and Mike Pence diverge

After landing in Philadelphia, we asked for more detail.

GARRETT: He’s used the word deportation force​ -- is that your understanding?

PENCE: People who have run afoul of the law gotta leave immediately.

GARRETT: Got to leave immediately?

PENCE: The details and how we do that, we’ll work that out with the Congress. 

We also asked about Trump’s tax returns​. Pence said his were coming.

PENCE: Donald Trump and I have both complied with federal rules about financial disclosure.

GARRETT: Yes, it’s a different standard running for president and you know that, governor. Presidential candidates have released these returns for decades now.

PENCE: And I will tell you I’ll be releasing my tax returns in the days ahead.

GARRETT: How soon?

PENCE: And Donald Trump will be releasing his tax returns once the audit is completed. Look this is a man who --

GARRETT: -- Before the election, governor?

PENCE: I think that’s yet to be seen.

We also discussed Trump’s recent boast he could win 95 percent of the black vote​ in 2020​, and Trump’s latest appeal to minority voters​​.

Trump appeals to black voters: What do you have to lose?

PENCE: I think Donald Trump is one of the most optimistic people I’ve ever met in my entire life

GARRETT: That would redefine Republican optimism, wouldn’t you agree?

PENCE: Well, he’s, I don’t know. Abraham Lincoln was the first Republican president of the United States.

GARRETT: Ninety-five percent?

PENCE: The truth is that the liberal policies that Hillary Clinton has advanced, and Barack Obama has advanced, and the Democratic party has advanced now for two generations have dis-served people in our major cities. One after another. 

GARRETT: He said, “What the hell do you have to lose?​” Does that sound like Ronald Reagan to you?

PENCE: No, it sounds like Donald Trump! That’s what people love about him.

Pence also told us he expects Trump to participate in all three presidential debates with Hillary Clinton, and waved off Trump’s negotiations as mere formalities. He also said he expects Trump to win those debates, and in the process turn the election around

f

We and our partners use cookies to understand how you use our site, improve your experience and serve you personalized content and advertising. Read about how we use cookies in our cookie policy and how you can control them by clicking Manage Settings. By continuing to use this site, you accept these cookies.