Gary Johnson, the Libertarian Party presidential nominee, argued Wednesday that American citizens should "embrace immigration." Johnson's remarks come the same week as Republican nominee Donald Trump indicated an openness to softening his hardline immigration policy – the signature issue of his campaign.

"Look, we should embrace immigration," Johnson, the former Republican governor of New Mexico said Wednesday on CNN. "These are really hard-working people that are taking jobs that U.S. citizens don't want."

"Get a system in place – work visas – that make it easy to cross over the border," Johnson said. "You and I would be doing the same thing if it were our families… That's the reason for 11 million undocumented workers."

On Tuesday Trump said he might "soften" his policy, the staple of which has been a wall on the southern border with Mexico, as well as pass support for a "massive deportation force."

"There certainly can be a softening [on immigration policy] because we're not looking to hurt people," Trump said during a Fox News town hall event, days after his campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, indicated that the finer points of his immigration policy were "to be determined."

Johnson discounts Trump's attempts at moderation, however.

"He still says he wants to build a wall across the border," Johnson noted of Trump, while conceding "really, he's not going to deport all 11 million. He's going to keep some."

Major Trump backers like author Ann Coulter expressed disappointment with Trump's recent maneuver.

"I think this is a mistake. It sounds like it's coming from consultants," Coulter said on MSNBC Tuesday night. "I've thought he's made other mistakes, and I've given him constructive criticism when I think he makes a mistake. I think this is a mistake."

Johnson and his running mate, former Massachusetts governor William Weld, also a former Republican, are attempting to be included in this fall's presidential debates with Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. The ticket needs to consistently place at an average of 15 percent in five national polls in order to be included.