Jun 19, 2018

Trump huddles with House GOP on potential immigration fixes

Speaker Paul Ryan and President Trump on Capitol to discuss immigration with House Republicans. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

President Trump huddled with House Republicans on Capitol Hill Tuesday evening ahead of expected House votes on two immigration bills this week.

The big picture: This is a crucial week for both the president and Republicans amid growing backlash over the administration's widely condemned policy of separating immigrant children from their parents when apprehended at the border. Meanwhile, Trump signaled he supports both bills — leaving it unclear which piece of legislation has the upper hand.

What we know:

  • House Homeland Security Chairman Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) described the meeting as "excellent." and said that Trump fully embraced the conservative bill that he and Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) are pushing. "The president is a thousand percent behind it," he repeated multiple times, per a White House pool report.
  • As for the family separation issue, "They will not be separated if the bill passes," said McCaul. "He said this is an opportunity for us to be compassionate" while ensuring security.
  • Meanwhile, the more moderate compromise bill from the House includes a provision that directly addresses the separation of immigrant children from their parents.
  • White House Deputy Press Secretary Raj Shah said in a statement following the meeting that Trump has "endorsed" both measures.

Be smart: Despite several lawmakers, including Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) putting forth separate bills aimed at ending the separation policy, the White House has maintained that the president wants full, comprehensive, immigration reform.

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World coronavirus updates

Data: The Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins; Map: Axios Visuals

Countries where novel coronavirus cases are falling may be hit with a "second peak" if they relax restrictions too soon, World Health Organization emergencies chief Mike Ryan warned during a briefing Monday. "We're still very much in a phase where the disease is actually on the way up," he added.

By the numbers: Almost 5.5 million people have tested positive for the virus as of Monday, and more than 2.2 million have recovered. The U.S. has reported the most cases in the world (over 1.6 million from 14.6 million tests). The U.K. is reporting over 36,900 deaths from the coronavirus — the most fatalities outside the U.S.

Go deeper (2 min. read)ArrowUpdated 58 mins ago - Health

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 3 a.m. ET: 5,498,849 — Total deaths: 346,306 — Total recoveries — 2,233,180 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 3 a.m. ET: 1,662,768 — Total deaths: 98,223 — Total recoveries: 379,157 — Total tested: 14,604,942 — Map.
  3. World: Italy reports lowest number of new cases since February — Ireland reports no new coronavirus deaths on Monday for the first time since March 21 — WHO suspends trial of hydroxychloroquine over safety concerns.
  4. 2020: Trump threatens to move Republican convention from North Carolina — Joe Biden makes first public appearance in two months.
  5. Public health: Officials are urging Americans to wear masks over Memorial Day.
  6. Economy: New York stock exchange to reopen its floor on Tuesday — White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett says it's possible the unemployment rate could still be in double digits by November's election — Charities refocus their efforts to fill gaps left by government.
  7. What should I do? Hydroxychloroquine questions answered — Traveling, asthma, dishes, disinfectants and being contagious — Masks, lending books and self-isolating — Exercise, laundry, what counts as soap — Pets, moving and personal health — Answers about the virus from Axios experts — What to know about social distancing — How to minimize your risk.
  8. Other resources: CDC on how to avoid the virus, what to do if you get it, the right mask to wear.

Subscribe to Mike Allen's Axios AM to follow our coronavirus coverage each morning from your inbox.

Updated 1 hour ago - Politics & Policy

LATAM Airlines files for U.S. chapter 11 bankruptcy

A LATAM air attendant aboard one of the company's planes in March. Photo: Kike Calvo/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

LATAM Airlines Group SA said in a statement early Tuesday the firm and its affiliates in in the United States, Chile, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S.

Why it matters: Latam is Latin America's largest airline and its shareholders include Delta Air Lines. CEO Roberto Alvo noted in the statement the coronavirus pandemic has had a huge impact on the airline industry.

Go deeper (<1 min. read)ArrowUpdated 2 hours ago - Economy & Business