Homeland Security Shutdown Deepens as Immigration Oversight Dispute Persists
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) entered its second day Sunday, with lawmakers and the White House showing no signs of compromise in their dispute over oversight of federal immigration officers. The funding lapse began Saturday after congressional Democrats and the Trump administration failed to reach a deal on legislation to fund the department through September.
Democrats are seeking changes to immigration enforcement practices following the fatal shootings of U.S. Citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal agents in Minneapolis last month. The impasse centers on Democratic demands for increased accountability and transparency in immigration enforcement activities, including requirements for federal officers to clearly identify themselves, refrain from wearing masks during operations and display unique identification numbers.
Congress is currently on recess, returning February 23rd, and both sides remain firm in their positions. The shutdown impacts agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Coast Guard, the Secret Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Despite the shutdown, operations at ICE and CBP are continuing largely uninterrupted, supported by funding allocated through a 2025 tax and spending law. Approximately 90% of DHS employees are continuing their duties without pay, potentially facing financial hardship. The situation is reminiscent of a 43-day government shutdown experienced last year.
White House border czar Tom Homan stated the administration is unwilling to concede to Democratic demands regarding officer identification, citing safety concerns. “These men and women have to protect themselves,” Homan said, acknowledging discomfort with the use of masks but prioritizing officer security.
Democrats are also advocating for the mandatory use of body cameras by immigration agents and the requirement of judicial warrants for arrests conducted on private property. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., emphasized that Democratic proposals align with standard practices employed by law enforcement agencies nationwide. “And the question that Americans are asking is, ‘Why aren’t Republicans going along with these commonsense proposals?’” Schumer said.
Senator Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., indicated openness to equipping immigration officers with body cameras and bolstering training. However, he expressed reservations about demands to remove masks and clearly identify officers, citing concerns about doxing and harassment faced by those involved in immigration enforcement. “What are you going to do, expose their faces so you can intimidate their families?” Mullin asked. “What we want is ICE to be able to do their job. And we would love for local law enforcement and for states to cooperate with us.”
Republican Senator Katie Britt of Alabama, a Trump ally, criticized Democrats for ending negotiations, stating it was “shortsighted of Democrats to walk away.”
President Trump has consistently prioritized enforcement of the nation’s immigration laws, making it a central theme of his 2024 campaign. DHS reports having deported more than 675,000 migrants since Trump took office last year, and claims an additional 2.2 million have “self-deported” as a result of his administration’s policies.
“President Trump is not going to back away from the mission, the mission that American people said they wanted him to complete, and that is securing our border and making sure that we actually do interior enforcement,” Britt said.
Homan appeared on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Schumer and Mullin appeared on CNN’s “State of the Union” and Britt was interviewed on “Fox News Sunday.”
