Schumer, Dem extortionists won't budge on DHS funding until ICE is unmasked

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer lays out Democrats' demands to rein in ICE amid DHS funding impasse

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that Democrats refuse to budge on funding the Department of Homeland Security unless their demands to restrict the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are met. Schumer outlined three core objectives: banning roving patrols and warrantless arrests by ICE, prohibiting ICE agents from operating in certain "sensitive" locations, and requiring ICE agents to identify themselves and wear body cameras.

Why it matters

The standoff over DHS funding has left thousands of federal employees, including ICE agents and TSA workers, without pay. Democrats are using the budget negotiations as leverage to impose new restrictions on ICE's enforcement activities, which they claim are overly aggressive and infringe on civil liberties. Republicans argue that unmasking ICE agents would endanger their safety, especially when targeting violent criminals and cartels.

The details

Schumer told CNN that Democrats have three main demands: 1) banning roving patrols and warrantless arrests by ICE, 2) prohibiting ICE agents from operating in "sensitive" locations like churches and schools, and 3) requiring ICE agents to identify themselves and wear body cameras. Schumer accused ICE of being "rogue" and "out of control", claiming agents are "trained to be nasty and mean and cruel." However, Republicans argue that unmasking ICE agents would expose them and their families to threats and doxxing, especially when targeting dangerous criminals.

  • The DHS funding impasse has left thousands of federal employees without pay since the partial government shutdown began.

The players

Chuck Schumer

The Senate Minority Leader and a Democratic senator from New York.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws in the United States.

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What they’re saying

“First, no more of these roving patrols. You can't just go to someone's House, bash in their door without a warrant. You can't indiscriminately grab someone off the streets and arrest them. What we're proposing is that that stop.”

— Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader (CNN)

“We're also proposing that ICE agents can't go to certain special places, churches, schools, polling places. We're saying that they should end racial discrimination and not just pick someone up on the basis of what they look like. And we are proposing that the ICE be monitored carefully as well.”

— Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader (CNN)

“And, finally, and maybe most important, no secret police. No police department in America doesn't identify themselves. But these guys wear masks. They don't have cameras. We need masks off. We need cameras on.”

— Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader (CNN)

What’s next

The negotiations over DHS funding and the Democrats' demands regarding ICE are ongoing, with no clear resolution in sight. The impasse has left thousands of federal workers without pay, and the outcome could have significant implications for immigration enforcement and civil liberties.

The takeaway

The standoff over DHS funding highlights the deep partisan divide over immigration policy and the role of federal immigration enforcement agencies like ICE. Democrats are using the budget negotiations to push for new restrictions on ICE's activities, while Republicans argue that these measures would undermine the agency's ability to target dangerous criminals. The outcome of this dispute could have far-reaching consequences for the future of immigration enforcement in the United States.