Democrats Demand Reforms to ICE and CBP, Blame GOP for DHS Shutdown

Schumer says Democrats showed the public they want 'obvious, commonsense reforms' to immigration enforcement agencies

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:41am

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty government office or workspace, with sunlight streaming in through a window and casting deep shadows across the room, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and unease around the political tensions surrounding immigration enforcement.The political battle over immigration enforcement agencies casts a long shadow over the federal bureaucracy.Minneapolis Today

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer defended the Democratic party's actions during the recent Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding shutdown, arguing that Democrats were trying to push for reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that the Republican party has blocked. Schumer claimed the American public is overwhelmingly on the Democrats' side in wanting to see these agencies reformed.

Why it matters

The DHS funding shutdown highlighted the ongoing political battle over the role and tactics of ICE and CBP, with Democrats seeking to rein in what they see as 'lawless' behavior by the agencies while Republicans have resisted calls for reform. The outcome of this debate could have significant implications for immigration enforcement and the treatment of undocumented immigrants in the U.S.

The details

Schumer argued that Democrats had been trying for weeks to fund other DHS agencies like the Coast Guard and FEMA, but were blocked by Republicans who refused to accept reforms to ICE and CBP. He claimed the shutdown was ultimately the fault of Republicans who wanted to maintain the agencies 'as is' despite public support for reforms. Schumer pointed to incidents in cities like Minneapolis and Portland as examples of the 'chaos' caused by the 'lawless' behavior of ICE and CBP that Democrats are seeking to address.

  • The DHS funding shutdown lasted for over a month, beginning in early 2026.

The players

Chuck Schumer

The Senate Minority Leader, a Democrat from New York, who was defending his party's actions during the DHS funding shutdown.

Mike Johnson

A Republican Congressman from Louisiana who reportedly rejected a proposal to fund certain DHS agencies.

John Thune

A Republican Senator from South Dakota who reportedly made a proposal to fund certain DHS agencies that was rejected.

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What they’re saying

“Well, first, let me say that the Republicans are hardly unified. Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA), for the second time, rejected a proposal made this morning by Sen. John Thune (R-SD), with unanimous consent support of all the Republicans, to fund the DHS agencies like the Coast Guard, like FEMA, like CISA, which we need. This is now clearly the Johnson shutdown. It's a Republican shutdown.”

— Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader

“All we want them to do is what every police department does, use warrants, okay? Don't mask, cooperate with local authorities. [The] American people want that. Everyone wants that. But a group of right-wing Republicans who just like ICE and [CBP] as it is, as much as we all abhor it, and it's on them.”

— Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader

What’s next

The new DHS Secretary has promised reforms, particularly around warrants and cooperation with local authorities, which could help resolve the standoff between Democrats and Republicans over the future of ICE and CBP.

The takeaway

This shutdown highlighted the deep partisan divide over immigration enforcement, with Democrats seeking to rein in what they see as overly aggressive and 'lawless' tactics by ICE and CBP, while Republicans have resisted calls for reform. The outcome of this debate could have significant implications for how undocumented immigrants are treated in the U.S.