US Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump says he would work to develop a tracking system to ensure illegal immigrants who overstay their visas are removed from the United States.
Donald Trump Photo: Supplied
Under fire for giving mixed messages on his signature issue, illegal immigration, Mr Trump has used a campaign speech in Des Moines to provide some fresh details.
He said he would build a great border wall, institute nationwide e-verify, stop illegal immigrants from accessing welfare and entitlements, and develop a tracking system to ensure those who overstay their visas are quickly removed.
"If we don't enforce visa expiration dates, then we have an open border - it's as simple as that," Mr Trump said.
"I'm going to begin swiftly removing criminal illegal immigrants from this country, including removing the hundreds and thousands of criminal illegal immigrants that have been released under the incompetence of the Clinton-Obama administration."
Earlier this week, he signalled he would soften his immigration plans.
Instead of deporting all 11 million people living illegally in the US as he had suggested before, he said only criminals would go.
He was immediately criticised by the right of the Republican party, with Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin warning him of "massive disappointment" if he backed down on his plan to deport undocumented immigrants.
- Reuters