US Department of Homeland Security faces shutdown over funding expiration

US Department of Homeland Security Faces Funding Impasse Amid Immigration Demands

The US Senate adjourned on Friday without reaching a deal to pass budget legislation for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which includes agencies responsible for immigration enforcement and disaster response. As a result, DHS is expected to run out of funds after midnight on Saturday in Washington, DC.

Legislators had been working towards a solution to avoid a partial government shutdown, but disagreements over reforming Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations have hindered progress. Democratic leaders in Congress issued demands for reforms, including banning ICE agents from wearing masks and ending immigration raids at “sensitive locations” such as schools and churches.

However, President Donald Trump’s Republican Party has rejected the Democrats’ demands, calling them unreasonable. The Senate’s 60-vote threshold requirement to pass major legislation means that lawmakers must reach a consensus on funding for DHS.

The impasse was sparked by recent events in Minnesota, where two US citizens were killed in January during an immigration crackdown. Reports emerged of masked ICE agents threatening bystanders and using violence disproportionately. In response, Democratic leaders threatened to withhold their votes from any funding legislation for DHS unless the reforms are implemented.

Many legislators have already left Washington, with some attending international conferences or returning to their congressional districts. If the shutdown is prolonged, it could result in tens of thousands of federal employees working without pay and potentially reduce workforce numbers at affected agencies.

Major travel and hospitality groups have warned that the shutdown could lead to travel delays due to TSA personnel working without pay. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is part of DHS and has been allocated billions of dollars through Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which Congress passed last year.

Source: Al Jazeera