During a press conference on Wednesday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) called out President Donald Trump and Republicans for the ongoing partial government shutdown, affecting key functions within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Transportation Security Administratio (TSA), and the Coast Guard.
Speaking to reporters, Jeffries pointed out that the shutdown stems from Republicans’ unwillingness to enact meaningful reforms to DHS agencies as Democrats have demanded, especially reforms aimed at reining in Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
According to Jeffries, the impasse had reached its fifth day because Republicans were willing to halt operations at agencies such as FEMA, TSA, and the Coast Guard rather than agree to changes to ICE.
Jeffries Issues Ultimatum On ICE Reforms: ‘If That Doesn’t Happen, The DHS Funding Bill Will Not Move Forward’
Jeffries framed the dispute as part of a broader debate over the use of federal resources, stating that taxpayer dollars should be focused on lowering costs and improving daily life rather than what he described as aggressive or unjust enforcement actions.
“Why are we in this moment?” Jeffries asked. “It’s because Republicans have decided that they would rather shut down FEMA, shut down TSA, and shut down the Coast Guard than get ICE under control. The American people know that ICE needs to be reined in. We believe that taxpayer dollars should be used to make your life more affordable, not to brutalize or kill American citizens in cold blood like Renée Nicole Good or Alex Pretti, or to violently target law-abiding immigrant families, which we know is taking place all across America.”
Jeffries stated that Americans were troubled by what they have seen and criticized Republicans for choosing to shut down key DHS functions instead of addressing concerns about enforcement practices. Democrats, he added, have offered Republicans opportunities to fix the problem but to no avail.
Jeffries said his caucus believes immigration enforcement should be “fair, just, and humane,” and argued that current practices fall short of that standard. He stated Democrats are calling for “dramatic, bold, meaningful, and transformational” changes to ICE.
Until that happens, Jeffries sternly stated, Democrats will not support moving forward with a funding bill for the DHS.
