Democrats Issue Counteroffer on ICE Reforms Amid Funding Dispute

This week, Democrats sent a counterproposal on immigration enforcement reform to the White House and Republicans, the most recent offer in negotiations over how to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) amid a partial government shutdown.

Funding for DHS, which manages Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the U.S. Coast Guard, expired on Feb. 14.

Lawmakers and the Trump administration have been at a stalemate over the holiday weekend after congressional Democrats and the administration failed to reach an agreement on a DHS spending bill that would last until September.

Democrats have promised to halt any funding for DHS without an overhaul of ICE and CBP, following the fatal shootings of Minneapolis activists Alex Pretti and Renee Good by immigration agents in January.

A Spokesman for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer confirmed that Democrats made their most recent proposal on Feb. 17 but did not reveal the details.

After the funding lapse, Schumer joined CNN on Feb. 15 for an interview, during which he reiterated Democrats’ demands.

Democrats have “three basic objectives to rein in ICE and end the violence,” which include prohibiting ICE officers from entering certain areas, an updated code of conduct for agents to address their use of force, and the enforcement of body cameras and a ban on face masks.

President Donald Trump told reporters on Feb. 16 that he would meet with Democrats during the week to discuss the funding, while also expressing that he doesn’t “like some of the things they’re asking for.”

“We’re going to protect law enforcement,” President Trump said. “We’re going to protect ICE.”

Until then, DHS employees will continue to work without pay until a resolution is signed, while ICE and CBP will remainoperational due to separate funding from the One Big Beautiful Bill.

Lawmakers are set to return to Washington on Feb. 23, a day before President Trump’s State of the Union address.

When asked whether he would continue to deliver the State of the Union if the funding dilemma had yet to be resolved, President Trump replied: “I think I would. It wouldn’t bother me.”