LEADER JEFFRIES STATEMENT ON DHS FUNDING BILL AND ICE ACCOUNTABILITY

Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries released the following statement:

The Trump administration has gone too far, ICE is completely out of control and the American people know it.

Taxpayer dollars should be spent making life more affordable for everyday Americans, not brutalizing and killing U.S. citizens and law-abiding immigrant families. Republicans enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in American history and ripped food from the mouths of hungry children, seniors and veterans in order to give DHS a $191 billion slush fund. That must change.

Democrats are united in our commitment to compel substantial reform at the Department of Homeland Security. Dramatic changes such as a mask ban, judicial warrant requirement, independent investigations when agents break the law, use of force protocols, mandatory body cameras and an end to the targeting of sensitive locations like houses of worship, schools and hospitals must be part of any full-year appropriations bill.

Americans from every corner of the country are demanding accountability and an end to the lawless, paramilitary tactics that ICE is using in our communities. Absent bold and meaningful change, there is no credible path forward with respect to the Department of Homeland Security funding bill on February 13.