Government Shutdown Looms as Parties Clash Over Immigration

Democrats and Republicans at odds over new limits on immigration enforcement

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Funding for much of the Department of Homeland Security will very likely lapse just after midnight tonight as Democrats and Republicans remain at odds over new limits on immigration enforcement. Democrats have insisted on measures like ending the use of masks by ICE agents, while Republicans have rejected many of their demands.

Why it matters

The single-agency shutdown, while affecting only about 4% of the government, highlights the ongoing partisan divide over immigration policy and the tactics of agencies like ICE and Border Patrol. The political standoff reflects the conviction of both parties that they are in the stronger position on this issue.

The details

Democrats have insisted that the federal government place meaningful new limits on immigration officers before they vote to fund the Department of Homeland Security. They point to polls showing broad disapproval of ICE's tactics, and some of their voters are demanding that they not back down. Republicans have roundly rejected many of the Democrats' demands, arguing that voters support President Trump's broader immigration plans.

  • The funding for much of the Department of Homeland Security will very likely lapse just after midnight tonight.

The players

Democrats

The Democratic party, which has insisted on new limits on immigration enforcement as a condition of funding the Department of Homeland Security.

Republicans

The Republican party, which has rejected many of the Democrats' demands and argues that voters support President Trump's immigration plans.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The single-agency shutdown is not likely to notably affect ICE or Border Patrol, which received a huge amount of funds from an earlier bill. Instead, less controversial parts of the Department of Homeland Security could face challenges, like the TSA, the Coast Guard and FEMA.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing partisan divide over immigration policy and the tactics of agencies like ICE and Border Patrol, with both parties convinced they hold the stronger political position on the issue.