Senator Cortez Masto Addresses Democratic Party's Immigration Perception and DHS Funding
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, a Democrat from Nevada, acknowledged in an interview with The New York Times podcast, "The Daily," that her party is perceived as weak on immigration. This admission comes as the Department of Homeland Security's internal watchdog has had to pause a significant portion of its oversight of immigration enforcement due to Democrats withholding support for funding the agency.
During the interview, Cortez Masto discussed the perception of Democrats being weak on immigration and emphasized the need to secure borders while also treating people with respect. She criticized her party for not effectively communicating on the issue and suggested that the Biden administration has been too hesitant in addressing immigration concerns.
Cortez Masto expressed support for securing the border, funding immigration enforcement, and implementing an immigration process that respects individuals who have followed the rules and contributed to communities. She highlighted the importance of finding a balance between border security and humane treatment of immigrants.
The senator also addressed the ongoing DHS funding fight, clarifying that she does not advocate for completely defunding ICE but rather funding the agency at traditional levels to ensure border security. She proposed diverting funds from ICE to local law enforcement to better address community needs and improve law enforcement practices.
The DHS Inspector General's office mentioned that many audits and inspections, including those related to ICE, have been paused during the government shutdown. Democrats have called for increased oversight of ICE, particularly in response to previous actions taken by the Trump administration regarding immigration enforcement.
Overall, Cortez Masto's comments reflect a desire to strike a balance between border security and humane immigration policies while also emphasizing the need for effective communication and oversight within the Democratic Party.