House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said Thursday that the firing of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is a welcome development but insisted that personnel changes alone will not address what Democrats say are deeper problems with federal immigration enforcement.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference, Jeffries was initially asked by a reporter about Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), who President Donald Trump announced as Noem’s replacement to head the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Although Jeffries previously served with Mullin in the House, he declined to comment on Mullin’s suitability as cabinet secretary.
Jeffries instead turned to the dismissal of Noem, aptly declaring that “Kristi Noem is gone. Good riddance,” and stating that her tenure had been a failure. He noted that House Democrats had previously warned the administration that she should either be removed from her position or face impeachment.
According to Jeffries, the administration ultimately chose the “easy way” by firing Noem rather than facing a confrontation in Congress. He said the outcome aligned with demands Democrats had made “on behalf of the American people.”
Jeffries Remains Firm On Reforms To Rein In ICE
Despite welcoming the move, Jeffries stressed that replacing leadership at the DHS would not be enough to resolve the issues Democrats have raised about the conduct of immigration enforcement.
He outlined several policy changes that Democrats believe are necessary, including requiring judicial warrants for enforcement actions, banning racial profiling, and prohibiting enforcement operations at sensitive locations such as schools, hospitals, polling places, and houses of worship.
Jeffries also called for stricter vetting and training requirements for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, limits on the use of force, and allowing state and local authorities to independently investigate agents who break the law.
“These are the types of policy changes that are going to be necessary to move us forward,” Jeffries said, stating that the agency should be required to operate under standards similar to those governing other law enforcement organizations in the United States.
While Jeffries described Noem’s departure as an important step, he emphasized that Democrats intend to continue pressing for what he called “bold, dramatic, transformational, and meaningful” policy reforms.
