Poli Alert Politics & Civics
Related Articles
Democrats have opened tentative talks with the White House over demands for sweeping new restrictions on President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement crackdown, just days before funding for the Department of Homeland Security is set to expire and another partial government shutdown threatens.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday that Democrats had formally delivered a list of demands aimed at Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal law enforcement agencies. The White House responded with a counterproposal later that evening, officials said.
Neither side has made its proposals public, but Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said discussions showed signs of progress.
“The Dems and the White House are trading papers, which is a good sign,” Thune said as he left the Capitol. “Hopefully they can find some common ground here.”
Time is short. Homeland Security funding expires Saturday, raising the prospect of a shutdown that would affect immigration enforcement, airport security and disaster response.
Democrats push limits on ICE, DHS
Democrats are seeking what they describe as “dramatic” changes to immigration enforcement following the fatal shootings of two protesters by federal agents in Minneapolis last month. Their demands include requiring judicial warrants, clearer identification of DHS officers, new use-of-force standards and an end to racial profiling.
“Republicans, the clock is ticking,” Schumer said on the Senate floor. “We have sent you our proposals and they are exceedingly reasonable.”
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries echoed that stance, warning Democrats would not support new funding without significant concessions.
“Dramatic changes are needed at the Department of Homeland Security before a DHS funding bill moves forward,” Jeffries said. “Period. Full stop.”
Some Democrats have gone further, saying they will oppose any additional DHS funding unless ICE enforcement is substantially scaled back.
GOP skepticism, counterdemands
Despite the talks, rank-and-file lawmakers in both parties expressed skepticism that a deal can be reached, given sharp divisions over immigration enforcement.
Republicans have pushed back on many Democratic demands and have floated their own proposals, including legislation requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote and restrictions on so-called sanctuary cities.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said Democrats’ calls for immigration officers to remove masks would endanger agents and their families.
“People are doxing them and targeting them,” Johnson said Monday. “We’ve got to talk about things that are reasonable and achievable.”
Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., said Democrats were appealing to their base rather than pursuing workable policy.
“The left has gone completely overboard,” Hagerty said Sunday on Fox News. “They’re threatening the safety and security of our agents so they cannot do their job.”
Republicans have said they are open to requiring body-worn cameras for DHS officers — a provision included in an earlier funding bill — but have resisted broader changes to enforcement authority.
Short-term deal sets deadline
Congress is renegotiating DHS funding after Trump agreed to a Democratic request to split it from a broader spending package that became law last week. That legislation extended DHS funding only through Feb. 13, creating a narrow window for negotiations.
The funding fight intensified after ICU nurse Alex Pretti was shot and killed by a U.S. Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis on Jan. 24. ICE agents also shot Renee Good earlier this month. Some Republicans acknowledged those incidents raised questions about federal enforcement practices.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said last week the administration is willing to discuss some Democratic proposals but dismissed others as “nonstarters.”
Stakes of a shutdown
The Homeland Security budget covers ICE and Customs and Border Protection, as well as the Transportation Security Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Thune warned that a shutdown could disrupt travel and airport security, recalling problems during last year’s prolonged government closure.
Some lawmakers have suggested separating ICE and Border Patrol funding from the rest of DHS and passing the remaining portions quickly. Thune has instead favored another short-term extension to allow talks to continue.
“If there’s additional time that’s needed, then hopefully Democrats would be amenable to another extension,” Thune said.
Democrats have signaled reluctance, though Republicans could potentially secure enough Democratic votes if negotiations appear productive.
“The ball is in the Republicans’ court,” Jeffries said.
