WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed on Thursday that Democratic demands for imposing new restrictions on federal immigration officers are unrealistic, warning that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) risks a shutdown next week if they fail to reach a compromise with Republicans and the White House.
Democratic leaders, including Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, have stated they will not support a DHS spending bill unless significant changes are made to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following the deadly shootings of two protesters in Minneapolis last month.
In a bid to push for reform, the Democratic leaders unveiled an expanded list of 10 proposals aimed at reining in President Trump's strict enforcement policies. These include mandating judicial warrants, enhancing identification for DHS officers, and instituting new use-of-force standards along with a prohibition on racial profiling.
Sen. Thune, R-S.D., labeled many of the demands as “far-fetched,” insisting that negotiations must take place. This is not a blank check where Republicans simply acquiesce to a list of Democrat demands, he stated, reiterating that reforming ICE necessitates an agreement on a broader bill.
Schumer expressed astonishment at the characterization of their proposals as impractical, emphasizing that the proposals focus on basic rights and public safety. He insisted that Republicans need to clarify their objections.
With a government shutdown looming, both parties have further intensified their blame game over the stalled negotiations. Thune noted, “As of now, we aren’t anywhere close to having any sort of agreement.”
If the DHS funding ceases, it could lead to an escalation of travel issues similar to those experienced during last year’s lengthy government shutdown.
Democrats' Reforms and Republican Resistance
Among the reforms sought by the Democrats are, notably, masks for officers, tighter rules on racial profiling, and preventing the tracking of protesters with body-worn cameras. They are also pushing for legal safeguards at detention centers and reaffirming that officers must verify a person’s citizenship status before detention.
Republicans, however, have dismissed these demands as overly radical, with Sen. John Barrasso labeling them a far-left wishlist, while Sen. Katie Britt characterized it as a “ridiculous Christmas list of demands.”
The stakes are high as Congress nears the deadline for the DHS funding bill, with both sides busily exchanging proposals and counter-proposals. Yet, it remains unclear if any common ground can be reached and whether the Democrats will reconsider their positions.
Some lawmakers advocate for preventing a shutdown by separating funding measures for various DHS agencies, emphasizing the need to allocate essential funds for the Coast Guard, TSA airport operations, and FEMA disaster assistance.
