The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has partially shut down after Congress failed to reach agreement on immigration enforcement changes, deepening a political standoff between the White House and Senate Democrats.
Funding expired at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday (14 February) after lawmakers left Washington without a compromise.
Congress is not scheduled to return until 23 February, although leaders say members could be recalled if a deal is reached earlier.
Most DHS employees, including staff at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Transportation Security Administration and the Coast Guard, are expected to continue working because their roles are considered critical. However, they will not receive pay during the funding lapse.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, which are at the center of the political dispute, are largely shielded from disruption.
Both agencies still have access to $75 billion approved last year under President Donald Trump’s domestic policy package, allowing operations and pay to continue.
Earlier this week, Senate Republicans failed to advance legislation to fund DHS for the remainder of the fiscal year, falling short of the 60 votes required to overcome a filibuster.
A separate attempt to pass a two-week stopgap measure was blocked by Democrats, who have made clear they will not support another short-term extension without enforcement reforms.
Democrats have outlined a list of proposed changes, including requiring federal agents to display identification, obtain judicial warrants before entering private property and stop wearing face coverings during operations.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats are prepared to fund DHS but insist on what he described as “serious guardrails” to rein in enforcement practices. He argued the administration’s latest proposal does not go far enough.
A senior White House official said Democrats had rejected the administration’s most recent counterproposal. While expressing willingness to negotiate, the official said the administration would not accept limits that undermine the president’s authority on border security.
Republicans have stressed that immigration enforcement will continue despite the shutdown. House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole said ICE and Border Patrol remain fully funded and accused Democrats of prolonging the standoff for political reasons.
The administration has pointed to steps taken after the Minnesota incident, including leadership changes in the region and the deployment of body cameras for immigration officers. Enforcement operations in Minnesota have since been scaled back.
Unlike last year’s 43-day government-wide shutdown, the current lapse affects only DHS, as other agencies are funded through September. However, Senate rules requiring 60 votes to pass funding legislation mean bipartisan support is necessary.
A new national poll shows public approval of the president’s handling of immigration has declined in recent months, adding further pressure as negotiations continue.
For now, DHS remains partially closed, with no clear timeline for resolution.
Dozens of people were killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon on Tuesday, Lebanese officials said, straining a fragile ceasefire agreed between the cou...
As Britain's sanctions on three Georgia-registered companies made headlines on 26 May, the Georgian side of the story was already complicated. The Nat...
European companies are continuing to deepen their presence in China, with nearly seven in ten firms maintaining or expanding their supply chains despi...
Britain has announced fresh sanctions targeting cryptocurrency exchanges, financial networks and banks accused of helping Russia evade Western restric...
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Kazakhstan on Wednesday for a three-day state visit focused on energy, transport and economic cooperation ...
Dozens of people were killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon on Tuesday, Lebanese officials said, straining a fragile ceasefire agreed between the countries in April. The attacks came as Iran accused the U.S. of violating a separate ceasefire with strikes near the Strait of Hormuz.
Britain has announced fresh sanctions targeting cryptocurrency exchanges, financial networks and banks accused of helping Russia evade Western restrictions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine.
Muslims around the world have marked Eid al-Adha with prayers, celebrations and acts of charity, though for many Palestinians the holiday unfolded amid conflict, restrictions and loss.
Israeli forces carried out more than 120 airstrikes across southern and eastern Lebanon on Tuesday (26 May), killing at least 31 people in one of the heaviest bombardments in recent weeks, according to Lebanese security and health officials.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 26 May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Iran has called Monday's U.S. strikes on it 'a gross violation' of their ceasefire. The U.S. military said it carried out defensive strikes in southern Iran after boats were seen laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the U.S. says a peace deal may require several more days.
The new AnewZ documentary, TARGET: Yerevan, builds its explosive case on exclusive, secret recordings originally published by Minval Politika.
Dozens of people were killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon on Tuesday, Lebanese officials said, straining a fragile ceasefire agreed between the countries in April. The attacks came as Iran accused the U.S. of violating a separate ceasefire with strikes near the Strait of Hormuz.
Chinese investigators have uncovered hidden tunnels, missing worker trackers and fake underground walls during an initial investigation into the country’s deadliest mining disaster in more than 15 years.
Britain has announced fresh sanctions targeting cryptocurrency exchanges, financial networks and banks accused of helping Russia evade Western restrictions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine.
China’s carbon emissions grew far less than previously thought over the past five years, according to a new analysis that is drawing close attention from climate researchers worldwide.
Muslims around the world have marked Eid al-Adha with prayers, celebrations and acts of charity, though for many Palestinians the holiday unfolded amid conflict, restrictions and loss.
Spanish police visited the headquarters of the ruling Socialist Party (PSOE) in Madrid on Wednesday as part of a widening High Court investigation into alleged attempts to interfere with judicial proceedings involving party and government figures.
Latvia is strengthening its anti-drone capabilities along its borders with Russia and Moscow-allied Belarus after several drones entered the NATO member’s airspace, according to a senior military official.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment