A Mexican native whose mother brought him to America at age 1said President Trump has shown "leadership and compassion" toward DACA recipients like himself, while Democrats have conversely used them as "pawns."

Hilario Yanez, who goes by Eli, said Trump showed courage to tackle the illegal immigration issue comprehensively during his first year in office.

"Here's a guy who wants to provide a pathway to citizenship for myself and really make a difference in my life," he said, adding that if the president believes a border wall is necessary for national security, then he would support it.

"I think it’s time for people who want to come to the United States to focus... on skills so [they] contribute to the American economy right away," Yanez, who was born in Tampico, Tamaulipas said.