Senators Weigh Deal To Fund Homeland Security While Excluding ICE Enforcement/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Senators consider funding Homeland Security without ICE enforcement. Airport delays intensify pressure to end shutdown. Negotiators report progress after White House talks.
Quick Looks
- Senate considers partial Homeland Security funding
- TSA workers unpaid amid airport delays
- ICE enforcement funding remains disputed
- Trump deployment of ICE agents raises tensions
- New Homeland Security leadership confirmed
- Deal negotiations gaining urgency
Deep Look: Senators Weigh Deal To Fund Homeland Security While Excluding ICE Enforcement
Senators are working toward a potential agreement to end the Department of Homeland Security shutdown by funding much of the agency while excluding key Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations at the center of the dispute.
The urgency comes as airports across the country face long security lines due to staffing shortages. Transportation Security Administration workers have gone without pay since funding lapsed in mid-February, leading some employees to call in sick or leave their jobs during the busy spring travel season.
Travelers at major airports in Houston, Atlanta and Baltimore have been told to arrive hours early as delays worsen.
Partial Funding Proposal Emerges
The emerging plan would fund most Homeland Security operations, including TSA, Customs and Border Protection, and Homeland Security Investigations. However, the proposal would exclude ICE enforcement and removal operations, which are central to President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda.
Democrats have refused to fund those operations without changes to immigration enforcement practices following the deaths of two citizens during operations in Minneapolis.
The proposal would also impose restrictions on how immigration officers are deployed, preventing them from being used in large-scale urban immigration sweeps.
Possible Policy Changes
Lawmakers are also discussing policy changes that Democrats have demanded, including requiring officers to wear body cameras and display identification. The use of face coverings by ICE officers at airports has already been limited, another key demand.
Because parts of ICE funding come from last year’s legislation — which significantly increased immigration enforcement funding — senators say any operational limits would also apply to those funds.
Republican Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama, a key negotiator, said discussions were encouraging following meetings at the White House.
“All I can say is that the discussions have been very positive and productive,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune said.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer echoed cautious optimism, saying both parties were working seriously toward a resolution.
Trump Meeting Spurs Momentum
Momentum for a deal increased after Republican senators met with President Trump at the White House. The talks followed Trump’s decision to deploy federal immigration officers to assist at airport security checkpoints — a move that some lawmakers warned could escalate tensions.
Negotiators are also trying to move past Trump’s demand that funding be tied to passage of the SAVE America Act, a voting measure that has stalled in the Senate.
Some Republicans have suggested addressing the voting legislation later in a broader package.
Leadership Changes At Homeland Security
The negotiations come amid leadership changes at the Department of Homeland Security. Trump removed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem following public backlash over immigration operations.
Senators confirmed Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin as her replacement. Mullin signaled openness to some Democratic demands, including ensuring judicial approval for certain immigration warrants.
Democrats viewed the leadership change as a potential path forward.
“This is significant,” Sen. Peter Welch said. “Noem is gone. That’s a big deal.”
Airport Pressure Mounts
The shutdown has left more than 120,000 Homeland Security employees working without pay. Union leaders representing TSA workers have urged lawmakers to reach a deal quickly.
Senators are expected to review the proposal during private caucus meetings. Lawmakers cautioned that while momentum is building, negotiations could still collapse if disagreements remain unresolved.
With airports facing mounting delays and pressure growing from travelers and workers, Congress faces increasing urgency to end the Homeland Security shutdown.
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