President Trump said Wednesday he will only sign an immigration bill to protect thousands of younger illegal immigrants if it includes money for a southwest border wall, quashing speculation that he is open to a deal that boosts border security without wall funding.

“It’s got to include the wall,” the president told reporters at a joint press conference with his Norwegian counterpart. “We need the wall for security. We need the wall for safety. We need the wall for stopping the drugs from pouring in.”

Trump on if he's willing to sign an immigration deal that does not include border wall funding: "No, no, no." pic.twitter.com/7sdpgANDXo— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) January 10, 2018



Trump said he is confident that Democrats and Republicans can devise a legislative solution to codify protections for immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children. But the president said any legislation would have to include the funds for a physical barrier at the border.

“I really believe they’re going to come up with a solution to the DACA problem … and maybe beyond that immigration as a whole,” Trump said. “But any solution has to include the wall because without the wall, it doesn’t work.”

Trump’s comments came a day after he invited 23 lawmakers to the White House to discuss the possibility of a two-part immigration deal: part one being a bill that tackles the DACA issue and improves border security, followed by a broader package of immigration reform.

The president’s comments during the meeting, particularly his endorsement of a “clean” DACA bill, led to confusion about his commitment to a border wall.