At the same time, the Trump administration has directed immigration officers to pause arrests at farms, restaurants and hotels, after Trump expressed alarm about the impact aggressive enforcement is having on those industries, according to a U.S. official familiar with the matter who spoke only on condition of anonymity.

Protests against President Trump's deportation policies have divided Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill and across the country. Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, praised the President's decision to deploy the National Guard in California.

They are trying to strike a careful balance on issues where Republicans have held a political advantage in recent years.