White House Negotiating with Democrats on DHS Reform

Deadline looms as lawmakers clash over funding for Department of Homeland Security

Feb. 9, 2026 at 8:31pm

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Congress and the White House are engaged in high-stakes negotiations over the funding and reform of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a deadline approaches. Democrats have used the threat of a government shutdown to spur negotiations, amid widespread frustration over the recent killing of Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents.

Why it matters

The outcome of these negotiations will have significant implications for the future of DHS, which plays a critical role in national security and immigration enforcement. The debate over DHS funding and reform has become a flashpoint in the broader political divide over immigration policy.

The details

Lawmakers are at loggerheads over government funding of DHS, with Democrats pushing for reforms to address concerns about the agency's use of force and treatment of immigrants. The White House is engaged in talks with Democratic leaders to try to reach a compromise before the current funding expires.

  • The current DHS funding is set to expire in the coming weeks.

The players

White House

The executive branch of the U.S. government, led by President Joe Biden, is negotiating with Congress over DHS reform.

Democrats

The political party that currently controls both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and is pushing for reforms to DHS.

Alex Pretti

An individual who was killed by Border Patrol agents, sparking widespread frustration and calls for DHS reform.

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What’s next

If the White House and Congress fail to reach a compromise on DHS funding and reform before the current funding expires, it could lead to a partial government shutdown.

The takeaway

The negotiations over DHS reform highlight the ongoing political tensions around immigration policy and the role of federal law enforcement agencies. The outcome of these talks will have significant implications for the future of the Department of Homeland Security and the broader debate over the balance between national security and civil liberties.