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Former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson speaks to journalists in 2013. | AP Photo Richardson: Trump 'spooked' Republicans on immigration reform

Donald Trump thrust the issue of immigration into the national conversation when he announced his candidacy, if you let him tell it. But former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson credits the Republican presidential front-runner for “spooking” Republicans from acting on immigration reform.

Speaking to reporters Thursday at a No Labels event in Washington to discuss a policy playbook for the next president, Richardson highlighted immigration reform as an important economic issue.

“The danger now — and, you know, I know you guys are covering Donald Trump and I’m not going to try to get too partisan here, but I will,” Richardson warned, sparking a room full of laughter. “I think because of the talk of Trump on closing the borders, on deporting 11 million people, which is impossible and too costly to do, he has spooked those very moderate Republicans, those Republicans that I think can see an advantage in immigration reform.”

Among some of the real estate mogul’s most controversial proposals are plans to build a wall along the southern border that Mexico will pay for and to temporarily ban Muslims from entering the country. On the trail throughout this campaign, Trump's rivals have also called for some form of a fence or wall to keep out immigrants.

As for moderate Republicans in Congress, “I think he’s spooked them for, unfortunately, a few more years,” Richardson said. “Hopefully I’m wrong.”