Daily ICE arrest quota architect Stephen Miller becomes chief of staff as Trump sends mixed messages on immigration

Miller’s new White House role

Stephen Miller became Trump’s chief of staff on Monday, after serving as a senior aide during Trump’s first term. He was a driving force behind several of the administration’s toughest immigration measures, including a quota of 3,000 arrests per day for ICE officers.

Miller’s promotion points toward a more aggressive approach during the final two years of Trump’s presidency. That prospect sits uneasily beside Trump’s recent remarks about easing some immigration policies.

Trump signals possible compromise

In an interview with 60 Minutes’s Ross Douthat that aired Sunday, Trump acknowledged that some policies “might be too tough” and may have hurt his party in the midterms. He also said a bipartisan immigration agreement could be “actually doable.” Trump told Douthat that many people believe workers in landscaping and hotels who are “good people” should be allowed to stay. His comments marked a more conciliatory tone on immigration.

Earlier signals faded quickly

Trump has previously shown interest in immigration legislation. During his first term, he proposed a deal that combined citizenship for DACA recipients with border wall funding and cuts to legal immigration, but it did not advance.

In June 2025, he raised concerns about enforcement’s effects on the hospitality and agriculture industries. That shift did not last through the week.

A deal remains uncertain

A bipartisan agreement is possible, particularly with powerful Democratic majorities expected to take office, but no deal has emerged. Miller’s appointment and strong opposition from parts of Trump’s party make an agreement seem unlikely. On Monday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is likely to become the next speaker of the House, called Miller “a stone-cold racist” and said he had no interest in working with him.