As Washington drifts into another long weekend, negotiations to prevent a shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security are barely moving, with Democrats and Republicans locked in a familiar stalemate. Funding for DHS expires on Feb. 13, and despite days of talks, lawmakers are no closer to a deal — fueling fears that time may simply run out. The situation has been summed up by one blunt assessment now echoing through Capitol Hill: “‘An Impossibility’: ICE Reform Negotiations Collapse as DHS Shutdown Approaches.”
A Deadlock With Days to Go
Congressional leaders left town without resolving their differences, leaving talks in limbo just as the deadline looms. Democrats argue that DHS should operate under tighter oversight, while Republicans insist that proposed changes would weaken immigration enforcement and endanger federal agents.
At the center of the dispute is Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Border Patrol. Democrats pushed for stricter limits in the latest government funding package, citing recent incidents in Minneapolis where federal agents killed two U.S. citizens. Those events intensified calls within the party for sweeping reforms.
Democrats Lay Down Their Demands
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer released a list of 10 demands that Democrats say are non-negotiable. Their proposals would require immigration agents to conduct operations without masks, clearly display identification, and obtain judicial warrants for certain actions — including entering private homes. They also want agents barred from enforcement actions at sensitive locations such as schools and churches.
Democrats argue these measures are essential for accountability and public trust, especially in communities that feel targeted by aggressive enforcement.
Republicans Call the Plan “Unrealistic”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune quickly rejected the proposal, calling it unrealistic and politically unserious. He warned that forcing agents to identify themselves could expose them to harassment or doxxing.
According to Thune, while a few ideas might be open for discussion, much of the Democratic wish list is a “nonstarter.” Earlier in the week, he dismissed a two-week negotiation window proposed by Democrats as — in his words — an “impossibility.”
What Happens If DHS Shuts Down?
If Congress misses the deadline, DHS would partially shut down. Agencies deemed essential by the Trump administration — including TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard — would continue operating, but many employees would work without pay. ICE funding, however, would remain intact after receiving $75 billion under President Donald Trump’s sweeping legislative package, meaning its operations would continue regardless of a shutdown.
Competing GOP Priorities
Republicans have demands of their own, most notably eliminating federal funding for so-called sanctuary cities that refuse to cooperate with immigration authorities. Senator Eric Schmitt said any real discussion must begin with ending those policies, arguing they undermine enforcement of immigration laws passed by both parties.
Democrats strongly oppose that idea, countering that communities are safer when residents can report crimes without fearing deportation.
Finger-Pointing and Calls for the White House
Senator Chris Murphy, who oversees DHS funding on the appropriations panel, admitted lawmakers are struggling to find a path forward. His Republican counterpart, Katie Britt, suggested the issue may now require intervention from the White House.
That sentiment was echoed by Senator Lisa Murkowski, who said presidential involvement could help break the impasse.
Meanwhile, blame continues to bounce around the Capitol, with Democrats accusing Republicans of refusing to negotiate and Republicans insisting Democrats are making impossible demands.
A Risky Legislative Gamble
House Speaker Mike Johnson has floated attaching the SAVE Act — a Trump-backed bill requiring proof of citizenship to vote — to a DHS funding package. Democrats say that move would doom the bill in the Senate, calling it unnecessary and harmful to eligible voters.
With options narrowing, some lawmakers are discussing another short-term extension to push the funding deadline into March. Jeffries has already said House Democrats will not support another stopgap measure, leaving Republicans with almost no margin for error in the House.
Reform or Shutdown?
While DHS has begun implementing limited reforms, such as requiring body cameras for agents in Minneapolis, Democrats insist those changes must be written into law to ensure they cannot be reversed. Senator Richard Blumenthal framed the stakes bluntly, arguing that protecting civil liberties matters more than avoiding a shutdown.
With less than two weeks remaining, Congress faces a stark choice: compromise quickly or allow DHS funding to lapse. For now, the gridlock remains — and the label of “‘An Impossibility’: ICE Reform Negotiations Collapse as DHS Shutdown Approaches” feels increasingly accurate.
