Democrats Reject Republicans' 'Incomplete' DHS Funding Counterproposal

Negotiations over immigration enforcement reforms stall as deadline for DHS funding looms

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Democratic leaders in Congress have rejected a Republican counterproposal to fund the Department of Homeland Security, calling it "incomplete and insufficient." The disagreement centers around a list of 10 reform demands issued by Democrats last week, which aim to address what they describe as aggressive tactics used by federal immigration officials. Republicans have released their own counterproposal, but the details have not been made public. With a potential government shutdown looming, both sides remain at odds over the path forward.

Why it matters

The dispute over DHS funding and immigration enforcement reforms highlights the deep partisan divide in Congress on issues of immigration policy. The outcome of these negotiations could have significant implications for the operations and oversight of federal immigration agencies like ICE, as well as the broader debate around immigration reform.

The details

Democrats have proposed a list of 10 reforms, including bans on immigration officers entering private property without a judicial warrant, indiscriminate arrests, agents wearing masks, racial profiling, and the use of force near certain sensitive locations like schools and churches. Republicans have released a counterproposal, but its details have not been made public. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries have criticized the Republican plan as "incomplete and insufficient" in addressing their concerns about "ICE's lawless conduct."

  • The disagreement comes amid negotiations over Congress's appropriations bill for the DHS, with a deadline this week.
  • Last month, U.S. protesters in Minnesota were killed by federal immigration officials, prompting Democrats' reform demands.

The players

Chuck Schumer

Senate Democratic leader from New York.

Hakeem Jeffries

House Democratic leader from New York.

Ron Johnson

Republican Senator from Wisconsin who took issue with Democrats' demand for judicial warrants.

Transactional Records Access Clearing House

A data-gathering organization founded at Syracuse University that reported on the immigration court backlog.

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What they’re saying

“Republicans shred an outline of a counterproposal, which included neither details nor legislative text. The initial GOP response is both incomplete and insufficient in terms of addressing the concerns have about ICE's lawless conduct.”

— Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Democratic leader and House Democratic leader

“Our immigration laws have always been enforced by the executive branch, through administrative law judges. We have, again, literally millions of cases that need to be adjudicated. Our Article Three courts simply can't handle that, and Democrats know it.”

— Ron Johnson, Republican Senator (CNBC)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.