Scoop: White House tells House Republicans to stop talking about mass deportations

Axios
by Kate Santaliz
March 10, 2026
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2 min read

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White House advised House Republicans to focus on removing violent criminals, not mass deportations.

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White House Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair privately advised House Republicans to de-emphasize "mass deportations" and instead focus on removing violent criminals, according to sources at a closed-door briefing. This guidance, delivered during a policy session in Doral, Florida, suggests a messaging recalibration by the White House. The shift follows a January Politico poll indicating 49% of Americans find the current administration's deportation campaign too aggressive, including 20% of 2024 Trump voters. The advice reflects concerns that Democrats are effectively framing the administration's immigration policy as overly sweeping. House Republicans are currently strategizing their legislative agenda and messaging for the upcoming November midterms.

What's Being Done

The White House advised House Republicans to shift their messaging from mass deportations to removing violent criminals.

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