Clock Ticks Toward Department of Homeland Security Shutdown After Midnight Deadline

Lawmakers leave Washington without deal on immigration enforcement tactics at DHS

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The second partial government shutdown in 2026 is set to begin at 12:01 a.m. Saturday after lawmakers failed to reach a deal on changes to immigration enforcement tactics at the Department of Homeland Security. The department's shutdown is likely to continue for some time, as Congress is out next week for the Presidents Day recess and not expected back for votes until Feb. 23. Democrats have pushed for policy changes after federal immigration officers killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis, including requiring agents to not wear masks and identify themselves, which has drawn strong opposition from Republicans and DHS leadership.

Why it matters

The shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security could have significant impacts on national security, emergency response, and immigration enforcement, as key agencies like FEMA, the Secret Service, and ICE are affected. The debate over immigration enforcement tactics also highlights ongoing tensions between Democrats and the Trump administration over immigration policy.

The details

A procedural vote to approve funding for the Homeland Security bill for fiscal year 2026 failed on Thursday to gain support from Senate Democrats because constraints to immigration enforcement were not included, such as an end to agents wearing face coverings. Even with the president's border czar Tom Homan announcing the withdrawal of thousands of federal immigration officers from Minneapolis, Democrats argued it's not enough. ICE will continue enforcement during the shutdown because Congress allocated a separate stream of money, about $75 billion, for U.S. Immigration and Enforcement Services.

  • The second partial government shutdown in 2026 is set to begin at 12:01 a.m. Saturday (February 14, 2026).
  • Congress is out next week for the Presidents Day recess and not expected back for votes until February 23, 2026.

The players

Tom Homan

The president's border czar who announced the withdrawal of thousands of federal immigration officers from Minneapolis.

Chuck Schumer

The Senate Minority Leader, D-N.Y., who argued that without legislation, Homan's withdrawal of immigration officers from Minneapolis could be reversed on a whim from President Trump.

Donald Trump

The President, who when asked by the press pool about cutting a deal on the shutdown, said "We'll see what happens. We always have to protect our law enforcement."

Hakeem Jeffries

The House Minority Leader, D-N.Y., who along with Schumer sent proposals to the White House to address concerns about ICE's "lawless conduct".

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What they’re saying

“Without legislation, what Tom Homan says today could be reversed tomorrow on a whim from (President) Donald Trump.”

— Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader

“We'll see what happens. We always have to protect our law enforcement.”

— Donald Trump

What’s next

With Congress out next week for the Presidents Day recess, lawmakers are not expected back on Capitol Hill for votes until Feb. 23, when they will need to reach a deal to end the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.

The takeaway

The looming shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security highlights the ongoing tensions between Democrats and the Trump administration over immigration enforcement tactics, with Democrats pushing for policy changes to rein in what they see as overly aggressive tactics by federal immigration officers.