U.S. President Donald Trump has acknowledged that his administration’s aggressive deportation policy may have gone too far, following his Republican Party’s losses in the November 3 midterm elections.

“It was too tough. I think it might be too tough,” Mr Trump said during an interview with CBS News programme 60 Minutes on Sunday.

Democrats now have 54 seats in the Senate, while Republican seats have dropped to 44. In the House of Representatives, Democrats won 237 seats, while Republicans trailed with 139 seats.

A post-election survey cited by CBS found that 58 per cent of voters believed the administration’s immigration enforcement actions had been excessively harsh.

Mr Trump acknowledged that the crackdown on undocumented immigrants had weakened his party’s electoral support.

The president said the policy had produced mixed political consequences for his party, noting that while Americans supported deporting criminals, many opposed the deportation of immigrants who had secured jobs and contributed to the economy.

He cited immigrants working in hotels, landscaping companies and other businesses, saying some had lived in the U.S. for 10 to 15 years and paid taxes.

Mr Trump also signalled openness to negotiate an immigration agreement with Democrats, who are expected to take control of both chambers of Congress.

“I’d love to do something on immigration,” he said, suggesting that some long-term undocumented immigrants might be permitted to remain in the country under an agreement.

However, he reiterated that criminals and drug dealers should continue to face deportation.

The president’s remarks came amid growing criticism of his administration’s immigration enforcement operations.

The admission also comes despite Mr Trump’s appointment of Stephen Miller, a key architect of his hardline immigration agenda, as White House chief of staff.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer condemned the appointment, questioning the president’s commitment to altering the policy.

Mr Trump has not outlined any specific changes to his administration’s deportation policy.