House Democrats Battle DHS Officials Over Shutdown Demands

Tensions rise as Democrats push 10 'unreasonable' requests for ICE amid looming government shutdown

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A heated political battle is unfolding in Washington as House Democrats clash with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials over a list of 10 'unreasonable' demands the Democrats have set as conditions to avoid a government shutdown. The dispute centers around the Democrats' push for major changes to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, which DHS leadership has firmly rejected.

Why it matters

A government shutdown would have widespread impacts, disrupting federal services and agencies across the country. The standoff highlights the deep partisan divisions in Congress over immigration policy and the role of federal law enforcement, which could further erode bipartisanship and compromise the government's ability to function.

The details

The Democrats' list of demands for ICE includes ending all deportations, shutting down detention centers, and granting immediate citizenship to all undocumented immigrants. DHS officials have dismissed these proposals as unrealistic and unacceptable, setting the stage for a potential stalemate that could lead to a partial government shutdown.

  • The current government funding is set to expire on February 28, 2026.
  • House Democrats presented their list of 10 demands to DHS on February 5, 2026.

The players

House Democrats

A group of Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives who are pushing for major changes to immigration enforcement as a condition to avoid a government shutdown.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal agency responsible for immigration enforcement, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which is at the center of the dispute with House Democrats.

Rep. Tony Gonzales

A Republican Congressman from Texas who has been critical of the Democrats' demands.

Karl Rove

A Republican strategist who has weighed in on the political implications of the standoff.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let partisan politics jeopardize the security and stability of our nation. The Democrats' demands are simply unreasonable and unacceptable.”

— Rep. Tony Gonzales, Republican Congressman from Texas

“This is a dangerous game of political brinkmanship that could have severe consequences for the American people.”

— Karl Rove, Republican Strategist

What’s next

The House and Senate must reach a compromise on government funding before the current budget expires on February 28, 2026, to avoid a partial government shutdown.

The takeaway

The standoff between House Democrats and DHS officials over immigration enforcement highlights the deep partisan divisions in Congress that continue to hamper the government's ability to function effectively and address the pressing issues facing the country.