Political strategist says Dreamers could play role in negotiations to end shutdown

Political analyst Bill Schneider said on Monday that the issue of paving a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, or immigrants brought to the country illegally as children, could be a major element in negotiations between Republicans and Democrats to reopen parts of the federal government. 

“There’s likely to be other elements in any possible deal, including the Dreamers,” Schneider told Hill.TV’s Joe Concha on “What America’s Thinking.” 

“The Democrats are very eager to legitimize the Dreamers’ standing in the United States, and that could enter this deal as something Democrats may be willing to accept along with something that is called the wall. It could have lots of components,” he continued. 

Schneider’s comments come as the partial federal government shutdown enters its third week, with no sign of compromise from the White House or Democrats.

However, House Budget Committee Chairman John Yarmuth (D-Ky.) told Hill.TV on Friday that some amount of money for border security in exchange for legal protections for Dreamers could be a way for the two parties to reach common ground. 

“I think a deal where there’s at least temporary working permits for Dreamers for several years, that kind of a relationship if you’re not going to solve the Dreamer problem for us, some amount of money for border security is an easy deal to make,” Yarmuth said. 

— Julia Manchester