US House minority leader blames Republicans for partial shutdown, demands reforms at immigration agency

​​​​​​​By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Wednesday criticized Republicans for the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), blaming them for a politically driven standoff centered on immigration enforcement.

Speaking at a news conference at the Capitol, Jeffries said Republicans are refusing to address concerns about the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.

"This is day five of Trump Republican shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. Why are we in this moment? It's because Republicans have decided that they would rather shut down FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), shut down TSA (Transportation Security Administration) and shut down the Coast Guard then get ICE under control. The American people know that ICE needs to be reined in," he said.

The partial government shutdown began early Saturday after Congress failed to pass a funding bill before a midnight Friday deadline, with Democrats blocking the measure, demanding reforms to the DHS, especially ICE, whose aggressive crackdowns in American cities have met widespread opposition.

The funding lapse has affected agencies across the DHS, including FEMA, TSA and the US Coast Guard.

Jeffries said Democrats are pushing for major reforms to immigration enforcement policies as part of any agreement to restore funding.

"It is our view that immigration enforcement in this country should be fair, it should be just, and it should be humane. That's not what's happening right now in the United States of America, and that's why ICE needs to be reformed in a dramatic, bold, meaningful and transformational manner. And if that doesn't happen, the DHS funding bill will not move forward," he added.

Jeffries said he remains open to negotiations.

"I'm here at the Capitol, ready, willing and able to sit down with any of my Republican colleagues, anytime, or any place in order to bring about a resolution," he said.

Lawmakers are expected to resume negotiations in an effort to end the partial shutdown, though there were no indications of when a vote might occur.

If the partial shutdown drags on, tens of thousands of federal workers could be required to continue to work without pay, while some agencies might be compelled to scale back staffing levels until funding is restored.

Turning to President Donald Trump's upcoming State of the Union address on Feb. 24, Jeffries said he plans to attend.

"We're not going to Donald Trump's house. He's coming to our house. It's my view that you don't let anyone ever run you off of your block," Jeffries said.