Democrats Demand Changes to Immigration Enforcement as DHS Funding Deadline Looms
Washington – With the deadline for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding fast approaching, Democratic leaders on Wednesday outlined their demands for the upcoming appropriations bill, seeking significant changes to immigration enforcement practices. The move comes amid heightened tensions over immigration enforcement tactics and a recent partial government shutdown, raising the specter of another potential shutdown if an agreement is not reached.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, alongside Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Democratic leaders, emphasized the need for reform. "Taxpayer dollars should be used to make life more affordable for everyday Americans, not to brutalize or kill them," Jeffries said at a press conference at the Capitol, according to CBS News. He added that "dramatic changes" are necessary, arguing that "ICE is completely and totally out of control, immigration enforcement should be just, it should be fair, and it should be humane. That is not what is taking place right now."
The demands from Democrats include potential restrictions on immigration enforcement tactics, which have been under scrutiny following two fatal shootings by federal law enforcement in Minneapolis last month, ABC News reported. Jeffries and the majority of his caucus had previously voted against a funding deal Senate Democrats struck with the White House, signaling a firm stance on the issue.
While the specific details of the Democrats' policy proposals were not fully outlined, the overarching message was a call for a more humane and just approach to immigration enforcement. The push for changes comes as some Republicans are considering options regarding the "Dreamers" and a potential path to legal status, according to Fox News. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., indicated that including "regularization" in the final FY 2026 appropriations bill was not out of the question, though he did not sound overly optimistic.
The debate over DHS funding and immigration enforcement comes at a time when the United States is asserting its position as a global superpower, according to Fox News. The negotiations will test the ability of both parties to find common ground on a contentious issue and avert another government shutdown. The outcome of these negotiations remains uncertain, but the stakes are high for both sides.
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