During a recent appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) discussed the urgent need for immigration reform, emphasizing the importance of bipartisan cooperation to address the broken immigration system in the United States. He stated that any reform must include securing the borders while also creating a viable pathway to citizenship for DREAMers—individuals brought to the U.S. as children, who have since established their lives in the country. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of prioritizing the deportation of violent felons over separating families, which includes American citizens or legal permanent residents.
The conversation entered into specifics when co-host Joe Scarborough asked whether a bipartisan agreement on immigration was feasible, particularly regarding the contrasting approaches taken by Democrats and Republicans. Jeffries cited a previously proposed conservative-leaning border security measure that had bipartisan support but was ultimately rejected by Republicans under the leadership of former President Donald Trump. He expressed hope that the next Congress would encourage a collaborative effort to tackle border security, criticizing the GOP for politicizing the issue rather than seeking genuine solutions. He reaffirmed that the responsibility now lies with the Republicans to engage in good faith negotiations.
Scarborough further probed what a potential immigration deal might encompass, referencing Trump’s past suggestions regarding support for DREAMers. Jeffries responded affirmatively, suggesting that such a deal could incorporate a strict border policy that focuses on deporting serious criminals while simultaneously providing a pathway to citizenship for DREAMers. He underscored the importance of these individuals—who have typically known no other home but the U.S.—claiming that there is a shared compassion among lawmakers for finding common-sense solutions to support them.
In addition to DREAMers, Jeffries elaborated on the need to reform the immigration system as it pertains to agricultural workers. He highlighted the critical role these workers play in ensuring food security for the American population. Jeffries noted that there is support across the aisle for modernizing the immigration framework to accommodate farm laborers, suggesting that this could represent another area where bipartisan efforts could thrive. Alongside farmworker reform, he asserted the necessity of fixing the dysfunctional asylum system that currently hampers those fleeing persecution and violence.
Moreover, Jeffries called for a humane approach to deportations, emphasizing that the priority should be on removing those committing violent crimes instead of tearing apart families, many of whom are intertwined with American citizens and lawful residents. He acknowledged that while the immigration system has many layers of complexity, compassionate and sensible reforms could lead to a more functional framework that balances security concerns with humanitarian responsibilities.
In summary, Jeffries conveyed a proactive stance on immigration reform, advocating for cooperation between Democrats and Republicans to craft solutions that address critical issues such as border security, pathways for DREAMers, support for agricultural labor, and an overhauled asylum process. He believes that it is imperative to prioritize the deportation of violent felons over family separations, and fosters hope that the upcoming Congress will yield a collaborative spirit to finally tackle the longstanding challenges of the immigration system in the U.S.