Hakeem Jeffries urges 'dramatic changes' in ICE are required to prevent DHS shutdown

WASHINGTON, DC: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries warned Tuesday, February 10, that unless Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is “reined in,” the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will shut down this Friday, February 13.

Jeffries made these remarks during an appearance on MS NOW’s Katy 'Tur Reports'. His comments centered on what he characterized as problematic enforcement actions by ICE and the need for dramatic changes before further DHS funding can move forward.

Hakeem Jeffries comments on ICE and DHS shutdown

Jeffries stated, “The ball is in the Republican’s court right now.” He emphasized that taxpayer dollars should be used “to make life more affordable for the American people, not brutalize or kill them,” adding that this should not be a controversial position.

Jeffries expressed concern that ICE has “completely and totally” gone out of control, insisting that the agency needs to be reined in so that immigration enforcement becomes “fair, it’s just and it’s humane.”

According to Jeffries, substantial changes to how DHS conducts itself are necessary before any funding bill moves forward on Friday.

Jeffries further argued that ICE has not lived up to its promise that immigration enforcement would focus on violent felons who are in the country illegally. Instead, he claimed, enforcement is targeting  "American citizens, law abiding immigrant families and American communities, which is why the American people are so horrified."

He further warned Republicans that if changes are not made, they will “make the decision to shut down FEMA, shut down the Coast Guard and shut down TSA,” describing that outcome as “very unfortunate.”

Democrats seek major reforms to ICE operations

When asked by host whether there was anything that Democrats could currently agree on, Jeffries replied that while the White House had signaled some openness to mandating body cameras for immigration enforcement officers, that alone did not amount to the “dramatic change” he said was necessary.

He noted that the White House’s position on mandatory body cameras “has been ambiguous,” suggesting that more commitments are needed before an agreement could move forward.

Previously, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and Jeffries said in a statement that a White House counterproposal to the list of demands they transmitted over the weekend "included neither details nor legislative text" and doesn't address "the concerns Americans have about ICE's lawless conduct."

Democrats are calling for several reforms, including mandatory judicial warrants, improved identification for DHS officers, updated use-of-force protocols, and an end to racial profiling. They argue these measures are essential following the fatal shooting of two protesters by federal agents in Minneapolis last month.

Earlier, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, expressed optimism about the unusual negotiations between Democrats and the White House, noting there was “forward progress.” Thune added that it was encouraging the two sides were exchanging papers, saying, “hopefully they can find some common ground here.”