DHS Shutdown Looms as Lawmakers Depart Washington Amid ICE Dispute

Feb 13, 2026, 2:39 AM

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With lawmakers departing Washington for a 10-day recess, a shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appears imminent due to unresolved conflicts over immigration enforcement policies. Funding for DHS is set to expire at midnight Friday, and negotiations between congressional Democrats and the White House have stalled, leaving both sides at an impasse.

The primary contention revolves around federal immigration enforcement practices, particularly those concerning the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. Democrats are pushing for significant reforms in how ICE operates, including better identification and a new code of conduct for federal law enforcement officers. They demand that immigration warrants should be signed by judges rather than ICE officials, a proposal Republicans have vehemently opposed.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed skepticism about reaching a compromise before the break, indicating that the situation is likely to deteriorate further during the recess. He noted that the consequences of a shutdown would adversely affect agency employees who would not receive paychecks, although the immediate impact on immigration enforcement operations may be limited due to prior funding allocations.

Despite ongoing discussions, both parties have struggled to find common ground. The White House's latest proposal did not meet the demands set forth by Democrats, who have called for an end to "roving patrols" and more stringent use-of-force policies for federal officers. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer insisted that the White House and congressional Republicans need to heed public sentiment calling for accountability and an end to the chaos surrounding immigration enforcement.

The backdrop to this standoff includes recent protests and tragic incidents involving federal agents, which have heightened scrutiny of ICE's operations. Following the fatal shootings of protesters by federal agents in Minnesota, Democrats have heightened their calls for reforms to prevent further violence.

As the Republican leadership maintains its hardline stance against the proposed judicial warrants, Democrats have signaled a unified front, rejecting the White House's latest offer as insufficient. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized that Democrats require "bold, meaningful, and transformational" policy changes to ICE's immigration enforcement practices.

The situation remains dynamic, as lawmakers have been put on alert to return to Washington if an agreement is reached to avert the shutdown. However, given the current level of division, the likelihood of a swift resolution seems low.

Trump's administration has been criticized for not taking the negotiations seriously, with some officials suggesting that Democrats are prepared to walk away from bipartisan conversations. In contrast, Republican leaders argue that Democrats are playing political games at the expense of government operations, with Speaker Mike Johnson accusing them of wanting to impose pain on the American public.

As both sides prepare for what could be a lengthy stalemate, the fate of DHS funding hangs in the balance, leaving the agency's operations and the livelihoods of its employees in jeopardy. The upcoming days will be critical in determining whether a compromise can be reached or if the shutdown will proceed as tensions continue to escalate in Washington.

With no clear resolution in sight, the political landscape remains charged, reflecting deeper divisions over immigration policy and the role of federal law enforcement in the United States.

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