Story highlights Rather than smoothing feathers, Democrats left the meeting with fresh ammunition

Kelly also seemed to take credit for DACA recipients continuing to be protected

Washington (CNN) House Democrats left a meeting with the Homeland Security secretary Friday with complaints both about the administration's policies and the secretary's tone -- calling him "dismissive" and saying they still have more questions than answers about President Donald Trump's immigration policies.

Secretary John Kelly held the meeting with House Democrats after weeks of requests from the full caucus and from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus directed toward DHS' immigration agencies. The lawmakers had asked for the briefing to discuss Trump's strict enforcement of US immigration laws.

But rather than smoothing feathers, Democrats left the meeting with fresh criticism of the administration.

After the meeting, House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rep. Joe Crowley told reporters the session "left more questions than answers."

A DHS spokesman who was in the room countered Democrats' characterization of the meeting, acknowledging that there were disagreements but saying that the secretary made efforts to explain his positions.

Read More