Democrats Dismiss White House's Latest Immigration Proposal as Insufficient, Threatening Homeland Security Funding

Washington — Democratic leaders have labeled the White House's recent immigration reform proposal as "incomplete and insufficient," raising alarms about a potential shutdown of the Homeland Security Department. The urgency is palpable as the clock ticks down to a Saturday deadline.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries issued a statement late Monday, criticizing the White House counterproposal for lacking "details or legislative text" and failing to address "the concerns Americans have about ICE's lawless conduct." Notably, the White House has not made the proposal public.

As negotiations unfold, Democrats are pushing for judicial warrants, improved identification for DHS officers, new use-of-force standards, and an end to racial profiling. These demands come in the wake of two protesters being fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis last month, underscoring the urgency for reform.

In stark contrast, Republicans have dismissed these demands as "unrealistic and unserious." Earlier on Monday, Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed cautious optimism about the negotiations, noting that the exchange of proposals was a positive sign. "Hopefully they can find some common ground here," he remarked.

However, reaching a consensus on immigration enforcement remains a formidable challenge. Lawmakers from both parties exhibit skepticism about finding common ground. Republicans have their own demands, including legislation requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration and stricter measures against cities perceived as lenient on illegal immigration.

Many Democrats, frustrated with ICE's aggressive tactics, have vowed not to support any additional funding for Homeland Security until significant reforms are implemented. "Dramatic changes are needed at the Department of Homeland Security before a DHS funding bill moves forward," Jeffries asserted earlier Monday.

Congress is currently renegotiating the DHS spending bill after President Trump agreed to separate it from a larger spending measure that passed last week. This package only extends Homeland Security funding at current levels through February 13, creating a narrow window for action as both parties discuss new restrictions on ICE and other federal officers.

The push for reform intensified following the shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by a U.S. Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis on January 24, prompting some Republicans to acknowledge the need for new restrictions. Another incident involved Renee Good, who was shot by ICE agents on January 7.

While Trump has agreed to separate funding discussions, he has not publicly addressed the specific demands put forth by Democrats. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the administration is open to discussing some items but considers others "nonstarters."

Schumer and Jeffries are advocating for immigration officers to remove their masks for identification purposes and to enhance coordination with local authorities. They also seek stricter use-of-force policies for federal officers, legal protections at detention centers, and a ban on tracking protesters using body-worn cameras.

Among their other demands, Democrats insist on ending indiscriminate arrests, improving warrant procedures, clarifying that officers cannot enter private property without a judicial warrant, and ensuring verification of citizenship status before detention.

Republicans have shown support for requiring body-worn cameras for DHS officers but have resisted many other Democratic requests. House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the risks associated with removing masks from ICE officers, citing safety concerns for them and their families. "We've got to talk about things that are reasonable and achievable," he stated.

Tennessee Senator Bill Hagerty criticized Democrats for allegedly pandering to a radical left base. "The left has gone completely overboard," he said, warning that such actions threaten the safety of enforcement agents.

The homeland security bill encompasses funding not only for ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection but also for FEMA and TSA. Thune cautioned that a DHS shutdown could lead to travel disruptions reminiscent of last year's 43-day government closure.

Some lawmakers have proposed separating funding for ICE and Border Patrol from the rest of the DHS budget to expedite passage by Friday. However, Thune has expressed reservations about this approach, advocating instead for a short-term extension while negotiations continue.

"If there's additional time that's needed, then hopefully Democrats would be amenable to another extension," Thune remarked. Many Democrats are unlikely to support another extension without significant reforms. Yet Republicans might garner enough bipartisan support if negotiations appear promising.

"The ball is in the Republicans' court," Jeffries stated on Monday. He further emphasized on CNN's "State of the Union" that Republicans must either agree to substantial reforms in ICE operations or face the consequences of shutting down critical services like the Coast Guard and FEMA.