By MARY CLARE JALONICK, KEVIN FREKING and SEUNG MIN KIM
Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) – Democratic leaders expressed on Monday that a recent proposal from the White House is “incomplete and insufficient” as they push for new limits on President Donald Trump’s immigration policies just days before funding for the Department of Homeland Security is about to run out. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement that the counterproposal from the White House, which they received over the weekend, “included neither details nor legislative text” and fails to address “the concerns Americans have about ICE’s lawless conduct.” The White House proposal was not made public. The Democrats’ statement comes as time is running low, with another partial government shutdown expected to start Saturday. Among their requests are requirements for judicial warrants, better identification for DHS officers, updated use-of-force standards, and an end to racial profiling. They argue these changes are crucial after two protesters were shot by federal agents in Minneapolis last month. Earlier on Monday, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S. D., shared some optimism regarding the rare discussions between Democrats and the White House, stating there was “forward progress.” Thune noted it was encouraging that both sides were exchanging proposals and expressed hope that “they can find some common ground here.” However, reaching an agreement on the sensitive topic of immigration enforcement will be challenging, especially since many lawmakers in both parties remain doubtful about finding consensus. Republicans have rejected several of the Democrats’ requests while also pushing their own agenda items, including legislation requiring proof of citizenship before individuals can register to vote and imposing restrictions on cities deemed inadequate in combating illegal immigration. A number of Democrats who are frustrated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s aggressive actions have stated they won’t support any further funding for Homeland Security until significant enforcement changes occur. “Dramatic changes are needed at the Department of Homeland Security before a DHS funding bill moves forward,” Jeffries emphasized earlier Monday. “Period. Full stop.” Trump interacts with Democrats Congress is working to revise the DHS spending bill after Trump agreed to a Democratic request to separate it from a larger spending package signed into law last week. This deal extended funding for Homeland Security at current levels only until February 13, creating a short window for negotiations around potential new limits on ICE and other federal officers. This issue gained urgency following incidents where ICU nurse Alex Pretti was killed by a U. S. Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis on January 24, prompting some Republicans to suggest that new restrictions are necessary. Renee Good was shot by ICE agents earlier on January 7. While he consented to separating this funding matter, Trump has yet to publicly respond specifically to the Democrats’ demands. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned late last week that the Trump administration is open to discussing certain items from the Democrats’ list but added that “others don’t seem like they are grounded in any common sense, and they are nonstarters for this administration.” Requests from Democrats Schumer and Jeffries have voiced desires for immigration officers to remove their masks so they can show identification and work more closely with local authorities. They’ve also called for stricter use-of-force policies regarding federal officers, legal protections at detention centers, and banning tracking protesters using body-worn cameras. A few additional demands include ending indiscriminate arrests; improving warrant procedures; ensuring clarity in laws prohibiting officers from entering private property without judicial warrants; and confirming an individual’s citizenship status before detention. The Republicans support requiring DHS officers to wear body-worn cameras-an element originally included in prior DHS legislation-but resist many other requests made by Democrats. “Taking off ICE officers’ masks poses serious risks because it would expose them-and their families-to harm due to doxing,” stated House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., on Monday. “We need reasonable conversations about what’s achievable.” Tennessee Sen. Bill Hagerty commented during “Fox News Sunday” that Democrats seem “to be energizing a radical left base.” “The left has gone completely overboard,” Hagerty argued. “They’re putting our agents’ safety at risk so they can’t effectively do their jobs.”
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Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) – Democratic leaders expressed on Monday that a recent proposal from the White House is “incomplete and insufficient” as they push for new limits on President Donald Trump’s immigration policies just days before funding for the Department of Homeland Security is about to run out. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement that the counterproposal from the White House, which they received over the weekend, “included neither details nor legislative text” and fails to address “the concerns Americans have about ICE’s lawless conduct.” The White House proposal was not made public. The Democrats’ statement comes as time is running low, with another partial government shutdown expected to start Saturday. Among their requests are requirements for judicial warrants, better identification for DHS officers, updated use-of-force standards, and an end to racial profiling. They argue these changes are crucial after two protesters were shot by federal agents in Minneapolis last month. Earlier on Monday, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S. D., shared some optimism regarding the rare discussions between Democrats and the White House, stating there was “forward progress.” Thune noted it was encouraging that both sides were exchanging proposals and expressed hope that “they can find some common ground here.” However, reaching an agreement on the sensitive topic of immigration enforcement will be challenging, especially since many lawmakers in both parties remain doubtful about finding consensus. Republicans have rejected several of the Democrats’ requests while also pushing their own agenda items, including legislation requiring proof of citizenship before individuals can register to vote and imposing restrictions on cities deemed inadequate in combating illegal immigration. A number of Democrats who are frustrated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s aggressive actions have stated they won’t support any further funding for Homeland Security until significant enforcement changes occur. “Dramatic changes are needed at the Department of Homeland Security before a DHS funding bill moves forward,” Jeffries emphasized earlier Monday. “Period. Full stop.” Trump interacts with Democrats Congress is working to revise the DHS spending bill after Trump agreed to a Democratic request to separate it from a larger spending package signed into law last week. This deal extended funding for Homeland Security at current levels only until February 13, creating a short window for negotiations around potential new limits on ICE and other federal officers. This issue gained urgency following incidents where ICU nurse Alex Pretti was killed by a U. S. Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis on January 24, prompting some Republicans to suggest that new restrictions are necessary. Renee Good was shot by ICE agents earlier on January 7. While he consented to separating this funding matter, Trump has yet to publicly respond specifically to the Democrats’ demands. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned late last week that the Trump administration is open to discussing certain items from the Democrats’ list but added that “others don’t seem like they are grounded in any common sense, and they are nonstarters for this administration.” Requests from Democrats Schumer and Jeffries have voiced desires for immigration officers to remove their masks so they can show identification and work more closely with local authorities. They’ve also called for stricter use-of-force policies regarding federal officers, legal protections at detention centers, and banning tracking protesters using body-worn cameras. A few additional demands include ending indiscriminate arrests; improving warrant procedures; ensuring clarity in laws prohibiting officers from entering private property without judicial warrants; and confirming an individual’s citizenship status before detention. The Republicans support requiring DHS officers to wear body-worn cameras-an element originally included in prior DHS legislation-but resist many other requests made by Democrats. “Taking off ICE officers’ masks poses serious risks because it would expose them-and their families-to harm due to doxing,” stated House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., on Monday. “We need reasonable conversations about what’s achievable.” Tennessee Sen. Bill Hagerty commented during “Fox News Sunday” that Democrats seem “to be energizing a radical left base.” “The left has gone completely overboard,” Hagerty argued. “They’re putting our agents’ safety at risk so they can’t effectively do their jobs.”
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