Democrats Reject White House ICE Offer as DHS Shutdown Nears/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Democrats say the White House proposal on immigration enforcement falls far short of their demands. With Homeland Security funding set to expire, leaders warn of a potential partial government shutdown. Negotiations over ICE restrictions highlight deep divisions on immigration and federal law enforcement.
ICE Funding Showdown Quick Looks
- Democrats reject White House counterproposal on ICE enforcement
- Homeland Security funding expires Saturday
- Demands include warrants, ID requirements, and limits on use of force
- Republicans push back, citing officer safety and border security
- ICE and Border Patrol funding central to negotiations
- Shutdown could disrupt travel, disaster response, and security
Deep Look: Democrats Reject White House ICE Offer as DHS Shutdown Nears
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic leaders say a White House offer addressing immigration enforcement is “incomplete and insufficient,” raising the prospect of a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security as a funding deadline rapidly approaches.
In a joint statement late Monday, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said the administration’s counterproposal lacked details, legislative text, and meaningful responses to what they describe as unchecked conduct by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The White House proposal has not been made public.
Funding Deadline Looms
Homeland Security funding is set to expire Saturday, threatening a partial government shutdown unless lawmakers reach an agreement. Democrats are demanding sweeping changes to President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, including stricter oversight of ICE and Border Patrol operations.
Among their requests:
- Judicial warrants for arrests and property entry
- Clear identification requirements for DHS officers
- New federal use-of-force standards
- An end to racial profiling
- Safeguards for detainees and protesters
Democrats say the demands follow deadly encounters involving federal officers, including the fatal shooting of two protesters in Minneapolis last month.
Cautious Optimism, Deep Skepticism
Earlier Monday, Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed guarded optimism, saying negotiations showed “forward progress” as both sides exchanged proposals.
Still, the talks face steep obstacles. Rank-and-file lawmakers in both parties remain deeply skeptical that common ground can be found on immigration enforcement — one of Washington’s most polarizing issues.
Republicans have largely rejected Democratic demands, while floating their own proposals, including stricter voter registration requirements and penalties for cities accused of resisting federal immigration enforcement.
Democrats Draw a Line
Many Democrats say they will not approve any additional Homeland Security funding unless ICE operations are significantly scaled back.
“Dramatic changes are needed at the Department of Homeland Security before a DHS funding bill moves forward,” Jeffries said earlier Monday. “Period. Full stop.”
Congress reopened negotiations after Trump agreed to separate DHS funding from a broader government spending bill passed last week. That measure temporarily extended DHS funding only through Feb. 13, creating a narrow window for compromise.
White House Response
Trump has not publicly addressed Democrats’ specific demands. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration is open to discussing some proposals but dismissed others as unrealistic.
“Some items are nonstarters for this administration,” Leavitt said last week.
Key Democratic Demands
Schumer and Jeffries have called for ICE and Border Patrol agents to remove face coverings, display identification, and coordinate more closely with local authorities. They also want:
- Limits on body-camera surveillance of protesters
- Clear standards preventing warrantless entry onto private property
- Verification that detainees are not U.S. citizens before detention
Republicans have said they support body-worn cameras — a provision included in the original DHS bill — but oppose many other restrictions.
House Speaker Mike Johnson warned that unmasking agents could endanger them and their families amid doxxing threats.
“We’ve got to talk about things that are reasonable and achievable,” Johnson said.
Tennessee Sen. Bill Hagerty accused Democrats of politicizing enforcement to energize their base.
Stakes of a Shutdown
The DHS budget funds not only ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, but also the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Transportation Security Administration.
A shutdown could disrupt air travel, disaster response, and border security. Thune warned of potential travel chaos similar to the 43-day government shutdown last year.
Some lawmakers have suggested passing funding for FEMA and TSA separately while negotiations continue on ICE. Thune has resisted that approach, favoring another short-term extension for all DHS operations.
Many Democrats, however, say they are unwilling to approve another extension without concrete concessions.
“The ball is in the Republicans’ court,” Jeffries said.
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