US President Donald Trump acknowledged that his administration's mass deportation policy had been "too tough" but stopped short of committing to any changes, as debate over immigration intensified following Republican losses in the recent midterm elections.

Speaking in an interview with CBS News, Trump said he believed the policy had been excessively harsh, marking one of his clearest public acknowledgements that the administration's immigration approach may have carried political costs.

Despite the admission, Trump gave no indication that his administration would reverse or significantly soften its immigration enforcement measures.

Trump signals possible compromise but offers no concrete plan

Trump said efforts to secure the US border and deport individuals involved in criminal activity continued to enjoy broad public support.

However, he acknowledged that deporting people who have lived, worked and paid taxes in the United States for many years despite lacking legal immigration status had become politically contentious and may have damaged Republican support among some voters.

The US president also said he was prepared to explore possible immigration legislation with Democrats, who are expected to hold majorities in Congress, but did not outline any specific proposals or timetable for negotiations.

Stephen Miller appointment raises questions over policy direction

Trump's remarks came shortly before he appointed Stephen Miller, widely regarded as one of the principal architects of his administration's hard-line immigration agenda, as White House Chief of Staff.

The appointment has been viewed by political observers as a signal that the administration is unlikely to move away from its strict immigration policies despite Trump's comments.

Miller has played a central role in designing and defending mass deportation initiatives and other restrictive immigration measures throughout Trump's presidency.

Immigration debate intensifies after midterm elections

Immigration policy has come under renewed scrutiny after Republicans lost control of both chambers of Congress in the midterm elections.

Recent opinion polls indicated that 58 per cent of respondents believed the administration's immigration enforcement had gone too far. Analysts have suggested that the large-scale deportation campaign contributed to a decline in Republican support among sections of Latino voters and other communities.

The debate has also focused on the treatment of undocumented immigrants who have spent years living and working in the United States, with critics arguing that broad enforcement measures have often failed to distinguish between long-term residents and individuals accused of criminal offences.

Federal immigration operations have also drawn criticism over enforcement tactics, while protests linked to immigration raids and broader concerns over the conduct of federal officers have intensified public debate over accountability and oversight.

Although Trump described aspects of the deportation policy as overly harsh, his decision to elevate Miller to one of the most influential positions in the White House has fuelled doubts about whether any significant shift in US immigration policy will follow.(ILKHA)