Precious Nwonu, Enugu

United States President Donald Trump has acknowledged that his administration’s mass deportation policy against undocumented immigrants may have been excessively harsh, admitting that the approach had political consequences for his party.

Trump made the remarks during an interview with CBS programme 60 Minutes, an excerpt of which was released on Sunday ahead of the full broadcast.

Asked about his administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement measures, the US president said the policy might have gone too far and ultimately worked against him.

“I think it was too tough. I think it might be too tough,” Trump said.

He also attributed part of the Republican Party’s poor performance in the midterm elections to what he described as ineffective communication of its policies.

The interview was conducted following the Republican Party’s significant losses in Tuesday’s midterm elections.

Although Trump’s efforts to strengthen security along the US southern border have received support from some Americans, his administration’s campaign to deport millions of undocumented immigrants has attracted widespread criticism.

The crackdown has also drawn attention over reports of aggressive operations by federal immigration agents and concerns about the treatment of migrants.

Despite acknowledging the possible shortcomings of the policy, Trump signalled his intention to maintain a hardline approach to immigration by appointing Stephen Miller, one of its principal architects, as his chief of staff on Friday.

Miller has been a prominent figure in the administration’s immigration agenda and has faced criticism over his support for aggressive enforcement operations.

His appointment is widely seen as an indication that Trump intends to maintain a tough stance following the Republicans’ electoral setback.