Jeffries promises ‘remedial assistance’ to anyone impacted by Trump immigration enforcement
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries pledged 'remedial assistance' to anyone treated 'unfairly' by Trump's immigration enforcement during a PBS interview Tuesday.
Jeffries, who is positioning himself to be Speaker of the House in the new Congress, made the pledge when asked about supporting DACA recipients amid the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. 'Certainly anyone, whether they are a citizen, whether they were here lawfully, whether there are DACA recipients [who have] been treated unfairly and unjustly by the administration, we need to provide remedial assistance to them and undo the damage that's been done,' he stated.
Bipartisan Cooperation
The New York Democrat also discussed potential bipartisan cooperation, noting President Trump's expressed hope to work with Democrats after they gained majorities in both chambers of Congress. Jeffries highlighted a recent bipartisan housing affordability bill and emphasized Democrats' commitment to reducing the cost of living across multiple sectors.
That's housing, that's healthcare, that's groceries, that's gas, that's caregiving, and making this country affordable again for everyone.
Criticism Emerges
White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis criticized Jeffries' remarks, claiming Democrats prioritize 'illegal aliens over U.S. citizens.' Democratic strategist Julian Epstein also voiced concerns, suggesting Jeffries' focus on immigration assistance contradicts the party's promises on affordability.
Epstein argued that while violent deportations are unpopular, 80% of voters opposed Biden's immigration policies and nearly as many oppose amnesty. He questioned why Jeffries has 'specific ideas about monetary handouts for illegals without any specific ideas about how to alleviate housing and energy costs,' calling it a sign of priorities being 'out of whack.'
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