
[Video below.] House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Tuesday that the Department of Homeland Security could face a shutdown by the end of the week if significant changes are not made to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, declaring that ICE must be “reined in” before Democrats will support further funding.
Appearing on MSNBC’s “Katy Tur Reports,” the New York Democrat placed responsibility on Republicans to resolve the standoff, arguing that taxpayer money should not support what he described as abusive enforcement tactics.
“The ball is in the Republican’s court right now. We’ve made clear that taxpayer dollars should be used to make life more affordable for the American people, not brutalize or kill them. That shouldn’t be a controversial proposition. We know that Ice is completely and totally out of control. They’ve gone way too far, and they need to be reined in so that immigration enforcement in this country is fair, it’s just and it’s humane. And the only way to bring that about right now is for there to be dramatic changes in the way in which DHS conducts itself before any funding bill moves forward on Friday,” Jeffries said.
He continued by accusing the administration of failing to follow through on its pledge to focus enforcement efforts on violent offenders.
“They promised that immigration enforcement was going to target violent felons who are here illegally. That’s not what’s taking place. That targeting American citizens, law abiding immigrant families and American communities, which is why the American people are so horrified. And so, again, we need dramatic change on the one hand or listen, Republicans are going to make the decision to shut down FEMA, shut down the Coast Guard and shut down TSA. And that would be very unfortunate,” he said.
Host Katy Tur pressed Jeffries on whether any common ground had been reached.
“So there’s nothing there that you guys can agree on. As of now?” Tur asked.
Jeffries responded that discussions remain limited, pointing to one area where the White House has signaled possible flexibility, though he said it falls short of what Democrats are demanding.
“Well, the White House has indicated that there’s some openness, to mandating body cameras. That’s important. But that can’t be the only thing that is done moving forward. That’s not dramatic change. And the White House has not even gone as far as saying we agree mandatory body cameras, no exceptions. Their response, even in that area, has been ambiguous. ”
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{Matzav.com}