Donald Trump’s acting chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, reportedly admitted that the US “needs more immigrants” during a private talk delivered to a group of university students.

Mr Mulvaney, who was speaking at the Oxford Union on Thursday night, said America was “desperate for more people” in order to fuel the country’s economic growth, according to the Washington Post.

“We are running out of people to fuel the economic growth that we’ve had in our nation over the last four years,” he said. “We need more immigrants.”

He added that the Trump administration wants these immigrants to enter the US in a “legal fashion”.

Mr Mulvaney’s words mark a contrast to the hardline stance adopted by a number of top White House officials and, on occasion, the president himself, who warned that “our country is full” during a visit to the US-Mexican border in California last year.

'Dangerous' overcrowding of migrants in US border facilities Show all 6 1 /6 'Dangerous' overcrowding of migrants in US border facilities 'Dangerous' overcrowding of migrants in US border facilities Photos of detained migrants crowded into cells at the US border - with one holding up a sign reading simply "help" - have been released as part of a new report warning of "dangerous" overcrowding. The memo was sent to the Department of Homeland Security by its Inspector General, containing photos taken at border facilities in the Rio Grande Valley over a week in June DHS/OIG 'Dangerous' overcrowding of migrants in US border facilities Eighty-eight adult males held in a cell with a maximum capacity of 41, some signalling prolonged detention to OIG Staff on June 12 DHS/OIG 'Dangerous' overcrowding of migrants in US border facilities Overcrowding of families observed by OIG on June 11, at a border patrol facility in Weslaco, Texas DHS/OIG 'Dangerous' overcrowding of migrants in US border facilities Migrant families overcrowding a border patrol facility on June 11 in McAllen, Texas DHS/OIG 'Dangerous' overcrowding of migrants in US border facilities Fifty-one adult females held in a cell designated for male juveniles with a capacity for 40 at Border Patrol’s Fort Brown Station DHS/OIG 'Dangerous' overcrowding of migrants in US border facilities Migrant families overcrowding a border patrol facility on June 11 in McAllen, Texas DHS/OIG

However, Mr Trump has been inconsistent with his views on legal immigration.

In his more recent State of the Union address, he called for a system that rewards immigrants who “contribute to our economy, support themselves financially, and uphold our values”.

Such an approach echoes the policies adopted in Australia and Canada, with Mr Mulvaney admitting on Thursday that the Trump administration is eager to embrace a model closer to those nations.

“We are very interested in expanding that,” he reportedly said.

Efforts within the White House to push forward and develop such a system have been met with resistance from hardline immigration restrictionists, such as senior policy adviser Stephen Miller, who are eager to protect US workers from foreign competition.

Immigration is playing an increasingly large role in US population growth (Statista)

Despite the ongoing debate on whether to promote or curb legal immigration, the US has been subject to a fierce crackdown on foreign workers and asylum seekers under Mr Trump.

The number of immigrant and non-immigrant visas issued since 2016 has notably decreased by more than 15 per cent, according to state figures, while efforts remain underway to construct a border wall between the US and Mexico.

Heeding calls from 31 states to end refugee admissions from Syria, Mr Trump has also slashed the total number of refugees the US accepts annually to just 18,000 this year, the fewest in history and down from a cap of 110,000 just two years ago.