DHS shutdown risk rises as Republicans reject Democratic ICE demands

Senate Republicans rejected a Democratic package seeking new limits on ICE and other DHS enforcement actions, and leaders warned a partial Department of Homeland Security funding lapse could begin on Feb. 14 as negotiations remained unresolved.

Senate Republicans rejected a set of Democratic proposals to restrict immigration enforcement after recent unrest in Minneapolis. Senate Majority Leader John Thune described the package as unrealistic and warned that Department of Homeland Security funding could lapse next week if lawmakers do not reach an agreement. Democratic leaders said they would withhold support for a DHS spending bill unless those reforms are adopted. Negotiations were ongoing but, as of the latest statements, no deal had been reported. Key facts: - Republican leaders said they would not accept the Democratic list of enforcement restrictions and urged negotiation rather than unilateral demands. - Democratic leaders released an expanded list of proposed reforms for ICE and other agencies and said they would not back the DHS funding bill without changes. - Senate leaders warned a partial DHS funding lapse could begin on Feb. 14, and lawmakers were discussing options such as separate funding for some DHS components, but no agreement had been announced. Summary: If no agreement is reached by the funding deadline, parts of the Department of Homeland Security could face a lapse in funding, affecting agencies funded through that bill. Lawmakers from both parties continued talks, and the immediate outcome remained undetermined at this time.