Congress on Brink of Department of Homeland Security Shutdown Amid Stalled Negotiations

Fri Feb 13 2026 00:37:51 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As Congress heads into a 10-day recess, a potential shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security looms due to stalled negotiations over immigration policies and funding. Democrats stand firm on their demands for reforms while the White House has offered concessions that may not satisfy lawmakers.

The impending shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security is expected as lawmakers leave Washington for a break, with negotiations over immigration enforcement reform stalling. Democrats demand significant changes to the current policies, including improved identification for ICE officers and better judicial oversight. The Senate had previously voted against a funding bill, leaving the department without necessary resources and prompting calls for accountability from Senate leaders. As deadlines approach, both sides remain far from a resolution.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A shutdown for the Department of Homeland Security appeared certain Thursday as lawmakers in the House and Senate were set to leave Washington for a 10-day break and negotiations with the White House over Democrats’ demands for new immigration restrictions had stalled.

The White House and Democrats have traded offers in recent days, as the Democrats have said they want curbs on President Trump’s broad campaign of immigration enforcement. They are demanding better identification for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal law enforcement officers, a new code of conduct for those agencies, and greater use of judicial warrants on various enforcement procedures.

Thune, Senate Majority Leader from South Dakota, stated that while concessions have been offered by the Republican side, details were not disclosed, and he acknowledged that negotiations are still far from a conclusive solution. Democrats voted against a DHS funding bill before leaving Washington, ensuring that funding would expire without additional legislative action.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer emphasized the need for accountability and real changes in immigration enforcement, voicing discontent over the current policies. Schumer highlighted issues stemming from recent violent incidents involving ICE officials and called for legislative reforms to address these concerns.

The central sticking point in negotiations seems to be the inclusion of judicial warrants in ICE policies, which Republicans argue could complicate enforcement operations. The Democrats have made their demands public, pushing for restrictions to ensure that ICE and other federal agencies do not overreach in their enforcement actions.

As the temporary funding measures and negotiations falter, the future operations of the DHS and its associated agencies linger in uncertainty, raising pressing concerns regarding the continuity of critical homeland security functions.