Top House Dem sparks backlash with plan for deported Dreamers that goes beyond bringing them back
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said Tuesday he supports bringing deported DACA recipients back to the U.S.and providing what he called "remedial assistance," prompting critics to accuse him of wanting to pay deported immigrants.Jeffries replied "certainly" when asked during a PBS NewsHour interview whether he would support bringing deported DACA recipients back to the U.S.
He also said those he believes were treated unfairly by the Trump administration should receive "remedial assistance.""Anyone, whether they are a citizen, whether they were here lawfully, whether they're DACA recipients, who've been treated unfairly and unjustly by the administration, we need to provide remedial assistance to them and undo the damage that's been done to the country, to law-abiding immigrant families and to the American people over this last 20 months or so," Jeffries told PBS News.JEFFRIES VOWS DEMOCRATS WON’T ‘GIVE A DIME’ TO TRUMP’S DEPORTATION EFFORTSHouse Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) speaks at a press conference on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding at the U.S.Capitol on February 04, 2026, in Washington, D.C.
The Democratic leadership outlined their demands for ICE accountability as Congress debates funding legislation for the DHS ahead of next week's deadline.(Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)DACA offers eligible immigrants brought to the country illegally as children temporary protection from deportation and the ability to apply for work authorization, but does not grant legal immigration status, according to U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services.Jeffries did not specify whether the "remedial assistance" he proposed would include financial compensation.His office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on Wednesday.Podcaster Benny Johnson similarly criticized Jeffries in a social media post on Wednesday, alleging that Democrats "always put foreigners before Americans.""Hakeem Jeffries says he want...