The White House has rejected a Democratic counterproposal to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), calling it “very unserious” as the agency’s partial shutdown entered its fifth day on Feb. 18. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the revised offer sent by Democrats the previous night failed to meet the administration’s expectations and urged lawmakers to act quickly to avoid further impacts on Americans.
The shutdown began on Feb. 13 after Democrats declined to support funding beyond a short-term extension. The core disagreement centers on immigration enforcement policies. Democratic leaders, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, are pushing for significant reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection before agreeing to a long-term funding bill.
Democrats argue that immigration enforcement must be fair, humane, and just. They have proposed 10 reforms, including limiting enforcement to targeted operations, requiring judicial warrants before entering private property, strengthening warrant standards, verifying citizenship before detention, and prohibiting immigration raids at sensitive locations such as schools and churches. They have also called for agents to remain unmasked and clearly display identification during operations.
The administration maintains that ICE is operating within existing legal authority established by Congress. Border czar Tom Homan defended the use of administrative warrants under federal law and said changes to those powers would require congressional action. He also justified the use of face coverings by agents, citing significant increases in threats and assaults against immigration officers.
Despite the funding lapse affecting many DHS agencies, ICE and Customs and Border Protection operations have largely continued because they were funded under spending legislation enacted during President Donald Trump’s previous tax and spending package. Both sides remain far apart in negotiations, with no immediate resolution in sight as the shutdown continues.