President Donald Trump says his proposed immigration deal to end a 30-day partial government shutdown would not lead to amnesty for "Dreamers", but he appears to have signalled support for amnesty as part of a broader immigration agreement.

Key points: Mr Trump proposed a compromise deal to Democrats to end the shutdown

Mr Trump proposed a compromise deal to Democrats to end the shutdown It included an extension of protections for children of 'illegal' immigrants for 3 years

It included an extension of protections for children of 'illegal' immigrants for 3 years 800,000 federal employees have been without work for almost a month

In another Twitter storm, Mr Trump also said he would not seek the removal of millions of illegal aliens living in the United States, while bashing House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her fellow Democrats for turning down his offer.

"No, Amnesty is not a part of my offer. It is a three-year extension of DACA. Amnesty will be used only on a much bigger deal, whether on immigration or something else," Mr Trump said on Twitter.

"Likewise there will be no big push to remove the 11,000,000 plus people who are here illegally-but be careful Nancy!"

The Dreamers, which refers to undocumented immigrants brought to the US as children, are protected from deportation under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

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DACA was put in place under former President Barack Obama.

What is a Dreamer? A child of unauthorised immigrants to the US

A child of unauthorised immigrants to the US Many have gone to school in the US and identify as American

Many have gone to school in the US and identify as American Takes its name from an unpassed 2001 bill that would allow pathway to US citizenship

Takes its name from an unpassed 2001 bill that would allow pathway to US citizenship Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) was designed to provide relief from threat of deportation

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) was designed to provide relief from threat of deportation A two-year, renewable DACA authorisation allows for reprieve from deportation, work rights, drivers' licence and bank accounts Source: National Immigration Law Centre

The Trump administration said in September 2017 it would rescind DACA but it remains in effect under court order.

Mr Trump did not make clear what he was referring to regarding the 11 million people mentioned in his tweet.

About 12 million people are living in the US illegally, according to US Department of Homeland Security estimates.

The President appeared to be responding to conservative critics who accused him of proposing amnesty and reneging on a campaign promise, which could alienate his right-wing base.

About one-quarter of the US government shut down on December 22 over Mr Trump's demand for $US5.7 billion to fund a wall along the border with Mexico, which Democrats have refused to consider.

About 800,000 federal workers have been ordered to stay home or work without pay during the shutdown.

Some federal employees can't afford to get to work

A prolonged shutdown will exacerbate processing times at US ports of entry. ( AP: Mark Lennihan )

The shutdown has caused widespread disruptions.

About 70,000 Internal Revenue Service employees, or about 88 per cent of the workforce, have been furloughed.

The National Park Service, under the umbrella of the Interior Department, is operating with a skeleton staff.

The Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis and Census Bureau is not publishing a batch of closely watched economic data, including figures on gross domestic product and new home sales.

Funding for food aid for low-income Americans, known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, will continue in February, but the outlook for March was uncertain if there was no end to the shutdown.

The Transportation Security Administration on Sunday reported an 8-per-cent national rate of unscheduled absences on Saturday, compared with 3 per cent a year ago.

More than 50,000 TSA officers are working without pay.

Some airports experienced longer wait times at security checkpoints, and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport closed one of its checkpoints due to excessive absences.

The TSA said: "Many employees are reporting that they are not able to report to work due to financial limitations."

Democrats consider Trump moves a 'starting point'

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A day after Mr Trump's DACA proposal, there appeared to be signs of movement, even as Democrats insisted the Government should reopen before proceeding with talks over border security.

"What the President proposed yesterday — increasing border security, looking at TPS, looking at the Dreamers — I'll use that as a starting point. But you've got to start by reopening the Government," US Senator Mark Warner said on NBC's Meet the Press.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) refers to another class of immigrants — nationals from designated countries affected by armed conflict, natural disaster, or other strife.

Mr Warner, a Virginia Democrat, said reopening the Government ahead of border security negotiations was important for preventing future shutdowns.

"If the President can arbitrarily shut down the Government now, he will do it time and again," Mr Warner said.

The senator also said Congress should approve pay for federal workers affected by the shutdown before they miss another pay cheque this week.

"Let's at least pay them on Thursday, so they don't have to go through more angst," he said.

ABC/wires