Democrats Issue 10 ICE Reform Demands in Funding Fight/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Congressional Democrats outlined 10 demands to rein in Immigration and Customs Enforcement amid a standoff over Homeland Security funding. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries tied the demands to public safety and accountability. The dispute raises the risk of another shutdown as a funding deadline approaches.
Democrats Outline ICE Demands: Quick Looks
- Democrats send Republicans a 10-point list of ICE reform demands
- Letter led by Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries
- Demands tied directly to Department of Homeland Security funding
- Lawmakers have two weeks to reach a deal
- Push follows fatal shootings involving federal agents in Minneapolis
- Calls include body cameras and limits on masks for ICE agents
- Democrats say reforms are needed to prevent further loss of life
- GOP leaders have not publicly responded to the demands
Deep Look: Democrats Issue 10 ICE Reform Demands in Funding Fight
WASHINGTON — Congressional Democrats are escalating their standoff with Republicans over funding for the Department of Homeland Security by laying out a detailed list of demands aimed at overhauling Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.
In a letter sent Wednesday to Republican leadership, Chuck Schumer, the Senate’s top Democrat, and Hakeem Jeffries, the House minority leader, outlined 10 policy changes they say are necessary to “rein in ICE” before Democrats can support continued DHS funding.
Lawmakers face a tight deadline, with roughly two weeks remaining to reach an agreement and avoid another partial government shutdown. The pressure intensified after more than 20 House Democrats joined Republicans earlier this week to temporarily reopen the government following a brief lapse in funding.
Democrats from across the ideological spectrum argue that ICE reforms have become urgent in the aftermath of two fatal shootings in Minneapolis last month involving federal agents. The deaths of U.S. citizens during enforcement operations have sparked renewed scrutiny of how immigration authorities conduct arrests and investigations.
“Federal immigration agents cannot continue to cause chaos in our cities while using taxpayer money that should be used to make life more affordable for working families,” Schumer and Jeffries wrote. They added that Americans expect Congress to act to ensure accountability and prevent further loss of life.
Among the demands are long-standing proposals pushed by Democrats in recent weeks, including prohibiting ICE agents from wearing masks during enforcement actions and requiring the use of body cameras. Other requests focus on strengthening oversight, clarifying use-of-force rules, and increasing transparency around enforcement operations.
The letter was addressed to John Thune and Mike Johnson, though representatives for both Republican leaders did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Republicans have signaled that negotiations remain far apart, setting the stage for tense talks as the DHS funding deadline nears. Without a compromise, lawmakers risk another shutdown fight centered on immigration enforcement, public safety, and the future scope of ICE operations.
Democrats are threatening to block funding for the Homeland Security Department when it expires in two weeks unless there are “dramatic changes” and “real accountability” for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other law enforcement agencies who are carrying out President Donald Trump’s campaign of federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota and across the country.
It’s unclear if the president or enough congressional Republicans will agree to any of the Democrats’ larger demands that the officers unmask and identify themselves, obtain judicial warrants in certain cases and work with local authorities, among other asks. Republicans have already pushed back.
House GOP lawmakers are demanding that some of their own priorities be added to the Homeland Security spending bill, including legislation that would require proof of citizenship before Americans register to vote and restrictions on sanctuary cities. There’s no clear definition of sanctuary jurisdictions, but the term is generally applied to state and local governments that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
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