Trump on Immigration: 'There Always Has to Be Some Tug and Pull and Deal'

(CNSNews.com) - Donald Trump has portrayed himself as an immigration hardliner, but now he's showing flexibility on the issue. "I will say...in terms of immigration -- and almost anything else -- there always has to be some, you know, tug and pull and deal," Trump said on the Fox News debate stage Thursday night.

Trump also said "there is nothing wrong" with Sen. Marco Rubio's call to bring illegal immigration under control first, then see what the American people are willing to do about the 11 million aliens currently in the country.

Trump started his campaign by insisting he would deport the millions of illegal aliens in this country, allowing only the "good ones" to come back in. He also said he would build a big, beautiful wall on the southern border.

In response to debate moderator Megyn Kelly, Trump said he had a "very nice meeting" with the New York Times editorial board in January, some of which was off the record. "And I think being off the record is a very important thing. I think it's a very, very powerful thing," he said.

But some of what Trump said during off-the-record moments has leaked.

So Kelly asked Trump if he really is backing off his firm stance on immigration..