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A Department of Homeland Security shutdown appears certain after Senate Democrats blocked funding measures following the collapse of negotiations over immigration enforcement reforms.
Read more: Immigration Chiefs Defend Tactics as Lawmakers Threaten DHS Funding ShutdownDepartment of Homeland Security Faces Shutdown as Funding Negotiations Stall
Key Facts
- DHS shutdown is scheduled to begin at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.
- The Senate rejected a funding bill in a 52-47 vote and blocked a two-week extension.
- ICE and CBP have $75 billion in existing funding to maintain operations and payroll.
- Democrats are demanding 10 reforms, including judicial warrants, a ban on masks for agents, and body cameras.
- Border czar Tom Homan announced the end of the Minnesota enforcement surge on Thursday.
- Approximately 22,862 non-essential DHS workers face potential furloughs.
- Lawmakers have left Washington for a 10-day break and are not scheduled to return until February 23.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is scheduled to begin a partial shutdown at 12:01 a.m. Saturday after the Senate failed to pass funding legislation or a short-term extension on Thursday. Lawmakers in the House and Senate have departed Washington for a 10-day recess, leaving the department without a budget agreement as negotiations between the White House and Democrats remain unresolved. While the shutdown will affect agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Coast Guard, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), its impact on immigration enforcement is expected to be minimal due to existing funding reserves.
The impasse centers on Democratic demands for new restrictions on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, by federal agents in Minneapolis last month. Democrats have proposed 10 specific reforms, including requirements for judicial warrants for arrests, a ban on agents wearing masks, and the mandatory use of body-worn cameras. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer described the White House's latest counterproposal, delivered late Wednesday, as "not serious," while Republicans argued the administration has already made concessions.
ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) currently have access to approximately $75 billion in funding from legislation passed last year, allowing operations and payroll for those agencies to continue despite the lapse. However, approximately 22,862 non-essential workers in other DHS subagencies could be furloughed, and essential personnel in agencies like the TSA and Coast Guard may be required to work without pay if the shutdown extends into March. FEMA officials stated the agency has sufficient balances for immediate emergency response but warned that long-term coordination with local partners would be impacted.
Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, cited the Thursday announcement by border czar Tom Homan that the administration is ending its immigration enforcement surge in Minneapolis as a sign of good faith. However, Republicans remain opposed to several Democratic demands, particularly the requirement for judicial warrants. Speaker Mike Johnson stated that such a requirement would be unworkable and would effectively halt the deportation of most undocumented immigrants.
Historical Context
The current funding dispute follows a 43-day full government shutdown last fall and a brief funding lapse earlier this month. Tensions escalated after the January 24 killing of Alex Pretti and the January 7 shooting of Renee Good, which prompted Democrats to separate DHS funding from a larger spending package to seek legislative reforms regarding federal law enforcement tactics and oversight.
Perspective Analysis
Sources: MSNBC · Politico · Associated Press · Wall Street Journal · CNN · NPR · Fox News · CNBC · The Hill
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