House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said Sunday that Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi cannot be relied upon to conduct independent investigations into alleged misconduct tied to immigration enforcement.
Appearing on CBS’s “State of the Union,” Jeffries addressed the ongoing impasse between congressional Democrats and Republicans over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). While Republicans have signaled limited flexibility — including potential funding for body cameras — they have largely rejected the broader list of policy reforms Democrats are demanding as part of a deal to avert or end a partial government shutdown.
Moderator Ed O’Keefe pressed Jeffries on whether Democrats were willing to drop any of their demands to move negotiations forward.
Jeffries responded that Democrats remain open to “good faith” discussions but insisted that significant changes are necessary.
“We’re willing to have a good faith conversation about everything,” Jeffries said. “But fundamentally we need change that is dramatic, that is bold, that is meaningful and that is transformational.”
Among the changes Democrats are seeking is a requirement that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents obtain judicial warrants before entering private property or detaining individuals in their homes. Jeffries argued that such a safeguard is a common-sense measure to protect civil liberties.
He also called for independent investigations when allegations arise that state or local laws have been violated during immigration enforcement operations. According to Jeffries, those investigations should not be handled internally by federal officials.
“We cannot trust Kristi Noem or Pam Bondi to conduct an independent investigation,” he said, arguing that state and local authorities should retain the ability to pursue criminal investigations and prosecutions when warranted.
Jeffries further emphasized that certain “sensitive locations” — including houses of worship, schools, hospitals, and polling sites — should be off-limits to immigration enforcement activity. He contended that ICE should prioritize violent offenders who are in the country unlawfully rather than targeting what he described as law-abiding immigrant families.
The comments come as negotiations continue over DHS funding, with both parties accusing the other of contributing to the stalemate. Republicans have argued that immigration enforcement must remain fully operational and have resisted changes they say would hamper federal authority. Democrats, meanwhile, have framed their proposals as necessary reforms to ensure accountability and protect civil rights.
As the funding deadline looms, it remains unclear whether either side is prepared to compromise on the central issues driving the dispute.
