DHS Funding Deadline Nears Amid Immigration Policy Standoff

Congress is facing a Friday, February 13 deadline to reach a deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), or that agency will shut down. Complicating matters is an upcoming recess from both chambers for the President’s Day week. 

Due to the tight calendar and disagreement on immigration enforcement policy, many in Congress see either a shutdown coming or some sort of funding extension at the last minute to give lawmakers more time. 

Politico reports that Republicans and the White House believe it’s “highly unlikely all sides agree to a full-year DHS revamp by Friday at midnight.”

That position was echoed by Senator John Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat who voted to end the record-breaking shutdown last year. 

“I absolutely would expect that it’s going to shut down. I know, we the Democrats, we provided, I think it was 10 kinds of basic things, and then the Republicans pushed back quickly, saying that that’s like a Christmas wish list and that there are nonstarters,” said Senator Fetterman (D-PA). 

Differences Remain Over Immigration Enforcement

Democrats are demanding changes to immigration enforcement following the shooting deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal officers in two separate incidents in Minnesota. Among the demands: limits on when law enforcement can wear masks, an end to roving patrols, and new judicial warrant requirements. 

Democratic leaders dismissed a Republican counterproposal as insufficient.

“The initial GOP response is both incomplete and insufficient in terms of addressing the concerns Americans have about ICE’s lawless conduct,” wrote Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY). 

However, The Hill reports that some of the president’s closest Senate allies are gearing up to fight any potential deal that would rein in ICE. 

“We’re now going on offense,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who watched the Super Bowl with the president. “President Trump sent [border czar] Tom Homan to Minnesota to turn down the heat. That was a good decision. But the idea that we’re going to abandon the campaign promises of President Trump on immigration is not accurate.”