Pence tells U.S. troops: no immigration talks until government reopens

[January 22, 2018]    (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said on Sunday that the Trump administration would not reopen talks with Democratic lawmakers on "illegal immigration" until the U.S. government shutdown had concluded.

Vice President Mike Pence waves to the media after his arrival at Amman military airport, Jordan, January 20, 2018. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed

During remarks to troops at a military facility in the Middle East, Pence said Democrats were playing politics with military personnel pay.

"We're going to demand that they reopen the government," Pence said. "In fact, we're not going to reopen negotiations on illegal immigration until they reopen the government and give you, our soldiers and your families, the benefits and wages you've earned."

(Reporting by Jeff Mason; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)

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