Hakeem Jeffries criticizes ICE tactics on 'The View'

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) just dropped a bombshell on “The View,” accusing Immigration and Customs Enforcement of targeting innocent immigrant families instead of the dangerous criminals they’re supposed to pursue.

On Monday’s episode, Jeffries tackled immigration policy head-on, expressing deep concern over ICE’s actions, the need for strict oversight of the Department of Homeland Security, and the broader failures of our immigration system while pledging support for dreamers and farm workers.

Starting strong, Jeffries didn’t mince words when he criticized ICE’s focus, claiming they’re going after “law-abiding immigrant families” rather than the violent felons conservatives, including Donald Trump, promised would be the priority.

Jeffries slams ICE’s misguided priorities

“Donald Trump and Republicans promised to go after violent felons, but instead they’re going after law-abiding immigrant families,” Jeffries declared on air.

Well, if that’s true, it’s a classic bait-and-switch, isn’t it? When leaders promise one thing and deliver another, trust erodes faster than a sandcastle at high tide, and it’s hardworking families—not hardened criminals—who seem to be paying the price.

Jeffries even pointed out cases where deportations reportedly involved American citizens and children, some battling serious illnesses like cancer. That’s a gut punch to anyone who believes in fairness, no matter where you stand on border policy.

Oversight needed for Homeland Security

On the topic of oversight, Jeffries insisted on a hardline approach, saying, “We need aggressive oversight” for ICE and Homeland Security due to their overly assertive tactics.

Now, while conservatives like myself value law and order, there’s a fine line between enforcement and overreach—shouldn’t our agencies focus on real threats instead of casting too wide a net? If Jeffries is right, this kind of behavior demands accountability, not applause.

He didn’t stop there, acknowledging that securing the border remains a critical piece of the puzzle. It’s a rare point of agreement in a debate often drowned out by partisan noise, and frankly, it’s refreshing to hear.

Fixing a broken immigration system

Jeffries also called on Congress to repair what he described as a thoroughly broken immigration framework, a sentiment many on the right can echo. After all, a system that fails to prioritize safety while punishing the innocent isn’t just broken—it’s backward.

When pressed by co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin on whether Democrats should push to defund ICE, Jeffries sidestepped the hot-button question, focusing instead on oversight. Smart move, perhaps, but dodging the issue won’t make it disappear ahead of future political battles.

Co-host Ana Navarro challenged Jeffries on how to address Latinos feeling disheartened by current immigration policies under the Trump administration. His response leaned on optimism about American resilience, which, while noble, might feel like cold comfort to those directly affected.

Standing up for dreamers and workers

“As House Democrats, our view is that while we work on making sure that the border can remain secure, we also are going to stand up for dreamers, farm workers, and for law-abiding immigrant families,” Jeffries affirmed.

Here’s the rub—supporting dreamers and farm workers sounds compassionate, but without a clear, enforceable border policy, it risks becoming another feel-good promise with no teeth. Conservatives want solutions, not just sympathy, and a secure border must be the foundation of any reform.

Jeffries also painted a broader picture of political extremism tied to Trump, calling it an “unprecedented flood” unleashed on Americans. While I’m all for holding leaders accountable, this kind of rhetoric can feel like a distraction from the policy failures both parties share responsibility for—turns out, pointing fingers doesn’t build walls or fix laws.