The memo: Trump's new immigration plan finds few friends

President TrumpDonald John TrumpNapolitano says Trump has violated the separation of powers 3 times over the past week. Bill on medical bills by surprise goes well Trump forgives media mogul, former California GOP chief White House on Thursday unveiled a new immigration plan in the White House Rose Garden, which sparked only Liberal indignation and Conservative ambivalence.

The reaction underscored how problematic immigration policy is for the administration, especially when it moves away from the simpler – if polarizing – way the President calls for the construction of a wall. border.

The new proposal advocates moving from an immigration system based primarily on family relationships to a system based on education and job skills. It was largely the invention of Trump's son-in-law and senior advisor Jared KushnerJared Corey KushnerTrump launches ambitious attempt to revise immigration laws Graham introduces bill to revise asylum laws GOP officials dissatisfied with some of Kushner's responses during the summer break a meeting on immigration: report PLUS.

But the plan is as noticeable for what it does not contain as for what it contains – and for its small chances of success in Congress as Democrats control the House.

It does not include any details on what needs to be done regarding the millions of people living in the United States without permission, nor any details about a guest worker program or the fate of young people covered by the Deferred Action. for the arrival of children (DACA) of the Obama era) program that was completed by Trump.

"The plan does not address DACA! How not to solve this problem? ", Said a source on Trump's orbit, who has anonymity to speak frankly.

Asked about it by a reporter Thursday, the White House press officer Sarah HuckabeeSarah Elizabeth Sanders Live Presentation: The House Panel Goes Forward with a Vote for Barr's Contempt Mueller's Facts Against Trump's Trump Tour Says That He's Called " the biggest hostage negotiator in this country ever known "MORE Sanders replied, "Whenever we have proposed, or anyone else, a type of immigration plan including DACA, this has failed. It's a thing that divides. "

Sanders added that the new plan "was focused on another part" of the issue of immigration.

Trump loyalists fear that the proposal is not tough enough to please its #MAGA base, even though they tacitly acknowledge that it is unlikely to win centrist or liberal skeptics Of the president.

As a result, it feeds the suspicions of the people of Trump and its surroundings, who have for a long time looked down on what they consider to be Kushner's more moderate politics. The fact that he worked on the proposal with Stephen MillerStephen MillerTrump launches ambitious attempt to revise immigration laws Graham unveils bill to revise asylum laws GOP officials unhappy with responses provided by Kushner at a meeting on immigration: report, a senior advisor known for his radical views on immigration, has not appeased these concerns.

The proposal itself would not reduce legal immigration levels and does not require the use of the E-Verify validation process, two major issues for curators.

But it's hardly liberal either – President Nancy PelosiNancy Patricia's Alesandro PelosiOn The Money: Mnuchin Reports That Authorities Will Not Publish Trump Statements | Trump to keep up on car rates | WH Approaching Agreement with Mexico and Canada on Metal Rates | GOP fears fallout from trade war for farmers | Warren, Regulatory Officer for Wells Fargo, chairs the budget. The former Bush official was chosen to lead CBO Barr's jokes with Pelosi: "Have you brought your handcuffs?" MORE (D-Calif.) Thursday criticized even its basic framework, claiming that references to "merit-based" immigration "are" condescending "because, in its view, they imply that family migration does not occur. has no merit.

Pelosi also called the plan "dead on arrival".

This leaves an unusual situation where Trump loyalists and liberals ask themselves the same question: what are they for?

"There is no way to take this seriously – either as a policy or a policy," said Frank Sharry, founder and executive director of America's Voice, who advocates a more liberal approach to immigration.

"There is nothing to see here because it's not going anywhere," he added. "It will divide the Republicans and repel the Democrats. You must ask, besides pampering the prince prince, what is the point?

Sharry's mocking reference to the "little prince" applied to Kushner.

A GOP consultant whose views on immigration are diametrically opposed to Sharry's is a reflection of the complaint.

"It was designed by a son-in-law who understands neither the immigration policy nor the Trump Foundation," said the consultant.

On Capitol Hill, the proposal was seen as one more shot in the war of messages in the run-up to the 2020 election, rather than as a concrete plan.

"The White House plan is not designed to become law. … The White House plan is trying to unify the Republican party, "Sen said. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin Graham: Kasich advisor signs up to pressure Hillicon Valley sanctions against Russia: Trump signs order to protect US networks against Chinese technologies | Huawei decreases its order | Trump refuses to join his efforts against extremism online | Facebook restricts live streaming | FCC Offers New Tool Against Automated Calls Frustrated GOP Senators Want Trump Answers About Iran MORE (R-S.C..).

According to this theory, the plan would give the GOP a positive and rather moderate argument to address to voters who might otherwise be uncomfortable with Trump's "Build the Wall" slogans.

But there is an opposite view: Trump's vigorous stance on immigration played a key role in his 2016 election and it is politically ridiculous to try to soften them now.

Conservative commentator Ann CoulterAnn Hart CoulterSarah Sanders: "I do not think Ann Coulter has any influence on anything" Ann Coulter calls immigrant children "child actors" Pepe the Frog, creator, sues InfoWars for violating copyright law 39; Author PLUS launched the plan on Twitter, saying that the lack of a proposal on DACA "means … another year without repression against millions of illegal aliens".

In a follow-up tweet, Coulter – who has already clashed with the president on this issue and whose influence in return has made a mockery of her – is a complaint of apparent willingness to maintain immigration levels unchanged.

"And this is the Rube-Bait campaign document, not even a serious bill," she concluded.

Other immigration conservatives have been more cautious.

Roy Beck, chairman of the conservative group NumbersUSA, issued a statement in which he praised Trump for "giving priority to developing an immigration system that would better serve the interests of the American people."

But he added, "I look forward to knowing how the plan is moving in the direction of this priority."

Ira Mehlman, media director of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, another conservative group, told The Hill that the proposal was "a very good overview of what a responsible immigration policy should be" .

But he also added, "I did not say it was a perfect plan. For the moment, it's a good plan. "

This kind of lukewarm praise seemed to be the best that the White House could hope for, on a plane that seems to please little and annoy a lot.

The memo is a column of Niall Stanage, mainly devoted to the presidency of Donald Trump. Jordan Fabian and Jordain Carney contributed.