Trump, Democrats Face Showdown Over ICE Funding and Immigration Reforms/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Democrats are demanding new limits on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) funding, including body cameras, stricter warrant rules, and more accountability after fatal shootings in Minneapolis. President Donald Trump agreed to a two-week funding extension, but Republicans are resisting many of the proposed enforcement restrictions while pushing their own priorities. With Homeland Security funding expiring soon, leaders like Chuck Schumer warn that a deal will be hard to reach and another shutdown fight is looming.
Quick Look: ICE Funding Fight
- Democrats want new limits on ICE operations after fatal shootings in Minneapolis.
- Demands include body cameras, banning masks, judicial warrants, and tighter oversight.
- Trump agreed to a short-term DHS funding extension through Feb. 13.
- Republicans resist most enforcement restrictions, citing officer safety and authority.
- GOP leaders are pushing voter ID rules and tougher action on sanctuary cities.
- Party divisions remain sharp, with some Democrats rejecting any compromise.
- Senate leaders warn a bipartisan deal may be unlikely before the deadline.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats and President Donald Trump find themselves in rare, face-to-face negotiations over immigration enforcement, but hopes for a bipartisan breakthrough remain slim. The two-week deadline to reach agreement on new restrictions for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is fast approaching, and battle lines are hardening.
Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune put it bluntly: a deal may be “an impossibility.”
The talks were sparked by public outrage after two protesters were killed by federal agents in Minneapolis last month, prompting calls for federal accountability in immigration enforcement practices. In response, Trump agreed to decouple Homeland Security funding from the broader budget deal and extended current DHS funding through February 13. That temporary fix has now set the stage for a high-stakes negotiation over DHS reforms.
What Democrats Want
Democrats are pushing for a series of reforms to make ICE and CBP operations more transparent and accountable:
Body-Worn Cameras
Both parties seem open to this. A $20 million allocation for body cameras is already in the Homeland Security funding bill. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said all officers in Minneapolis — including ICE agents — would now be required to wear cameras, with plans for nationwide expansion.
“The cameras need to stay on,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Ban on Officer Masking
Democrats want agents to stop covering their faces during operations, arguing it reduces public trust.
“What’s so special about ICE that they have to wear masks?” asked Rep. Bennie Thompson, top Democrat on the Homeland Security Committee.
Republicans have resisted, citing safety concerns and past incidents of harassment against agents.
“They will obviously be targeted,” said Speaker Mike Johnson.
Judicial vs. Administrative Warrants
Democrats are calling for judicially signed warrants—not internal ICE documents—for arrests, especially in private homes.
An internal ICE memo recently surfaced that permitted forced home entries based on administrative warrants, raising civil liberties concerns. Democrats say the practice is unconstitutional and must end.
“We want an end to racial profiling and arrests without proper judicial oversight,” said Schumer.
Republicans argue the requirement is too cumbersome. Johnson said, “We can’t do that,” noting it would impose a new layer of legal hurdles on agents.
Roving Patrol Restrictions
Democrats want to stop unannounced, roving patrols targeting immigrants on the street and at homes. Johnson has indicated this might be a negotiable point but has not provided specifics.
Uniform Code of Conduct
Democrats are demanding a standard code of conduct for federal immigration agents, mirroring those followed by state and local law enforcement.
This demand follows the January 7 shooting of protester Renee Good, where federal officials allegedly blocked state investigators from reviewing evidence. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has pushed for state involvement in the probe.
GOP Pushes Its Own Priorities
As Democrats push reforms, Republicans are adding their own demands to the Homeland Security funding debate:
- Voter ID Requirement: Legislation requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote.
- Sanctuary City Crackdown: Sen. Lindsey Graham and others want penalties for jurisdictions that don’t fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
“We need to address these lawless cities enabling illegal immigration,” Graham said.
Divisions Within the Parties
Even within their own ranks, Democrats are divided. Rep. Ayanna Pressley reaffirmed her call to “abolish ICE” and said she won’t support any bill that fails to ban masking of agents.
“My position has not changed,” Pressley said.
Meanwhile, Republicans are juggling internal priorities. Johnson, whose party holds a thin 218-214 majority, will have little room for defection in the next DHS vote.
Clock Is Ticking
Both chambers have less than two weeks to strike a deal before Homeland Security runs out of funding on February 13. But even the optimists are hedging.
“It’s not very realistic,” said Thune. “But there’s always miracles, right?”
As pressure mounts, Americans will be watching whether Congress can reform immigration enforcement or stumble into another shutdown crisis.
Summary
- Democrats are seeking limits on ICE operations: body cams, warrant reforms, banning masks.
- Republicans demand voter ID laws and crackdowns on sanctuary cities.
- A two-week deadline looms for passing DHS funding.
- A bipartisan agreement remains unlikely, but talks continue.
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