House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) is putting his foot down ahead of the looming Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding deadline, making it clear that Democrats will not support a spending bill unless it includes “dramatic” reforms to immigration enforcement agencies under the Trump administration.
During a recent interview on CNN with Dana Bash, Jeffries outlined a list of Democratic demands aimed at reining in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The proposals include requiring judicial warrants before agents can search private property, banning the use of masks during enforcement operations, and mandating body cameras for officers.
Jeffries made it clear that Democrats are not prepared to back down from those demands, even with a potential shutdown approaching. “Not at this point,” Jeffries said when asked by Bash whether he would accept a funding bill that did not include the full slate of reforms.
Jeffries framed the proposals as a response to conduct by federal immigration agents that he describes as “completely and totally out of control.”
“We start with a basic premise that taxpayer dollars should be used to make life more affordable for everyday Americans, not brutalize or kill American citizens,” Jeffries stated, referencing the murders of Renée Good and Alex Pretti.
According to Jeffries, the reforms are designed to ensure that immigration enforcement is carried out in a way that is “fair,” “just,” and “humane.” He argued that significant legislative changes are necessary before Democrats can support additional funding for the DHS.
Jeffries: ‘These Are Common Sense Changes’
Bash pointed out that ICE and CBP already received substantial funding through last year’s major spending package, meaning a shutdown would primarily affect unrelated agencies such as FEMA, the TSA, and the FAA. She pressed Jeffries on how holding up a funding bill would meaningfully rein in immigration enforcement.
Jeffries responded that legislative changes attached to the DHS funding bill are the only way to alter the behavior of federal agents. He described the proposals as “common sense changes,” pointing to the body camera requirement and the warrant mandate as basic measures to ensure accountability.
Jeffries also defended the proposed ban on masks for ICE agents, stating that the agency should operate under the same transparency standards as other law enforcement bodies. “That shouldn’t be controversial,” Jeffries said, adding that the goal is to ensure constitutional protections are respected.
In addition, Jeffries called for giving state and local officials more authority to investigate and prosecute federal immigration officers who violate the law, arguing that current policies allow agencies to operate with “impunity.”
With just days remaining before the DHS funding deadline, Jeffries’ comments suggest Democrats are prepared to use their leverage to push for sweeping changes to immigration enforcement, which Jeffries noted is something that the American people want.
The ball is now in the Republicans’ court. Will they work together with Democrats to rein in ICE’s lawless and cruel conduct, or will they cause another government shutdown and continue bending the knee to President Trump and his administration?
