Immigration Reform news 2016: Success of Trump's tax reforms may depend on deportation policy, stance on 'Dreamers'

Millions of undocumented immigrants in America are now in a constant state of panic and anxiety given President-elect Donald Trump's strict and staunch views on illegal immigration. Many are now wondering what will happen to them especially after reports state that immigration reform will be one of the first issues that Trump will tackle after he is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States.

While Trump's rhetoric on illegal immigration eventually softened as his campaign progressed, many cannot forget the scathing words he uttered against immigrants, especially those of Mexican and Muslim descent. One also cannot forget his promise to build a wall on the border with Mexico. The situation was seemingly compounded when Trump hired Steve Bannon to be his chief strategist due to the latter's own opinions about immigrants and people of color.

In an interview with TIME magazine, Trump stated that his deportation policy will first target the undocumented persons that pose a threat to U.S. society. Soon after all those who are considered as "criminals" have been dealt with, that's when he will work with Congress to come up with a comprehensive policy that will affect all immigrants moving forward.

According to Forbes, Trump's second agenda on the list, tax reform, will be largely affected by his immigration policies, especially since one of the largest groups of undocumented immigrants fall within the scope of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The people in this group often referred to as "Dreamers" are the ones who were illegally brought to the United States as children.

"We're going to work something out that's going to make people happy and proud. They got brought here at a very young age, they've worked here, they've gone to school here. Some were good students. Some have wonderful jobs. And they're in never-never land because they don't know what's going to happen," Trump said.

Forbes stated that the DACA population will play a huge role in the success of Trump's tax reforms because the people in this group are the ones most likely to start small businesses, one of the aspects that Trump intends to focus on.

Many are optimistic given Trump's softening stance on immigration reform, including legislators who are fortified by the president-elect's latest remarks.

"We're encouraged by these comments by President-elect Trump — they present an opportunity to do the right thing for more than 744,000 young people who grew up here. We will soon have a legislative response ready if needed. They have much to contribute to the country they love," said Sen. Lindsey Graham and Sen. Richard J. Durbin in a joint statement.

Graham, Durbin and Sen. Jeff Flake are working on legislation that will extend legal status for those under the DACA program.