Congress Clashes on ICE Reform as Funding Deadline Looms

Negotiations hit roadblocks as lawmakers race to prevent a funding lapse at the Department of Homeland Security.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Congress faces a Friday deadline to prevent a funding lapse at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), but negotiations on the future of immigration enforcement are hitting roadblocks. Democrats have rejected a White House counterproposal, saying it does not go far enough to rein in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). With no deal in sight, lawmakers are considering short-term funding extensions or alternative strategies to avoid a partial government shutdown.

Why it matters

The debate over ICE reform and DHS funding reflects the deep partisan divide on immigration policy. A funding lapse would impact key agencies like FEMA, TSA, and the Coast Guard, underscoring the high stakes involved. The outcome could have significant implications for the Biden administration's immigration agenda and the balance of power in Congress.

The details

Democrats are demanding legislative language to impose stricter standards on ICE, including limits on the use of force and tighter warrant requirements. The White House counterproposal did not meet these demands, leading Democrats to reject it as "incomplete and insufficient." Republicans, meanwhile, have pushed to surge resources for ICE and Border Patrol. With no agreement in sight, lawmakers are considering short-term funding extensions or alternative strategies to avoid a partial government shutdown.

  • The funding deadline for the Department of Homeland Security is this Friday, February 11, 2026.
  • Negotiations between Democrats and the White House have been ongoing this week, with the latest counterproposal being rejected on Tuesday, February 11, 2026.

The players

Chuck Schumer

Senate Minority Leader, a Democrat from New York.

Hakeem Jeffries

House Minority Leader, a Democrat from New York.

John Thune

Senate Majority Leader, a Republican from South Dakota.

Mike Johnson

House Speaker, a Republican from Kentucky.

Ted Lieu

Democratic Representative from California.

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What they’re saying

“The bottom line is it was incomplete and insufficient. We need legislative language that will rein in ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and end the violence. That proposal didn't come close to doing that.”

— Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader (koco.com)

“Offering a CR would be a concession that we don't believe in that product, and that's just simply not the case.”

— Mike Johnson, House Speaker (koco.com)

“The Republicans could simply fund FEMA, the Coast Guard, and all the other agencies, and go forward with that, and Democrats would, in fact, vote for that. If Republicans choose to shut down, it's their choice to do it this way.”

— Ted Lieu, Democratic Representative (koco.com)

What’s next

Congress faces a Friday, February 11, 2026 deadline to reach a deal on DHS funding and ICE reform. If no agreement is reached by then, a partial government shutdown could occur, impacting agencies like FEMA, TSA, and the Coast Guard.

The takeaway

The clash over ICE reform and DHS funding highlights the deep partisan divide on immigration policy in Congress. The outcome of these negotiations could have significant implications for the Biden administration's immigration agenda and the balance of power in Congress.