BREAKING: Trump Backtracks on Immigration Stance in Meeting with Hispanic Supporters

GOP Nominee, Who Once Said He’d Deport All 11 Million People in the U.S. Illegally, Is Now Indicating He’s Open to Some Form of Legalization

In what one critic called “a sign of desperation,” GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump reportedly is backtracking from his plan to deport 11 million immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally.  

During a meeting with his new Hispanic advisory council on Saturday, Trump signaled he’s open to some form of legalization — although he didn’t use that word, according to BuzzFeed News. 

Trump also told Hispanic supporters that he regrets comments he made earlier in his campaign, when he said Mexico is sending rapists, drug dealers and other criminals across the U.S. border, Univision reported. 

“I really liked that Trump acknowledged that there is a big problem with the 11 million [undocumented] people who are here, and that deporting them is neither possible nor humane,” said Jacob Monty, a Texas immigration lawyer who attended the meeting.

Univision reported that Trump’s new plan, which he’s expected to unveil Thursday in Colorado, “will include legalizing millions of undocumented immigrants.” 

Amanda Renteria, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s national political director, blasted Trump’s change of heart as “a cynical attempt” to distract from previous policy proposals — which also include building a wall along the Mexico border. 

“Donald Trump will be Donald Trump and what’s clear is that he’s dangerous for the Latino community,” Renteria said. 

Last month, a Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll found that only 14 percent of Hispanics said they would vote for Trump.

“It’s a sign of desperation,” immigration reform advocate Frank Sharry told BuzzFeed. “Trump wants to fool these Republicans uncomfortable with his racism and bigotry that he’s pivoting. But a late head fake won’t be taken seriously by Latinos and their allies.”

In recent days, Trump has also ramped up his outreach to African-American voters, only about 1 percent of whom support him, according to polls. 

According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released Friday afternoon, Trump trails Clinton by 8 points nationally.