The U.S. government remains in a partial shutdown as lawmakers struggle to reach an agreement on federal funding and immigration enforcement, with debate intensifying over the Trump administration’s ICE operations.
House Speaker Mike Johnson faces a tough week trying to push a funding package through the House, relying on support from President Donald Trump to avoid a prolonged shutdown. The Senate recently approved a plan that separates funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from the broader budget, temporarily funding DHS until February 13 while lawmakers work on new restrictions for ICE operations.
“The president is leading this,” Johnson said Sunday, noting that Trump wants to “turn down the volume” on federal immigration raids. Johnson hopes the House can vote on the package by Tuesday.
House Democrats are demanding significant reforms to ICE operations. They want agents to unmask themselves, require judicial warrants for raids, and end roving patrols.
“What is clear is that the Department of Homeland Security needs to be dramatically reformed,” said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. “Masks should come off. Judicial warrants should absolutely be required before DHS or ICE agents enter people’s homes or remove individuals from their cars.”
At the same time, some House Republicans are pushing for stronger enforcement measures. The House Freedom Caucus wants full DHS funding, while other conservatives aim to include longshot priorities such as the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship to vote.
Johnson said he would continue discussions with lawmakers to build support for a compromise.
The partial shutdown affects several federal agencies, including defense, health, transportation, and housing. While many operations are considered essential, some workers could go unpaid or be furloughed if the impasse continues. Lawmakers worry the shutdown could disrupt FEMA operations, which respond to storms and disasters across the country.
This marks the second federal disruption in months. Last fall, a 43-day shutdown sparked by Democrats protesting the expiration of health insurance tax breaks became the longest in U.S. history, temporarily affecting millions.
The administration is signaling urgency to end the shutdown. Johnson noted that he and Trump recently met with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer to discuss a compromise on ICE operations. Areas of potential agreement include providing body cameras for agents and ending roving patrols.
However, requiring ICE agents to display their names publicly remains a sticking point, with Johnson warning that it could put officers at risk from protesters. Democrats continue to demand broader changes, calling the current ICE operations in Minneapolis and other cities “lawless” and “immoral,” with some even pushing to remove or impeach Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Senator Chris Murphy said Sunday, “ICE is making this country less safe, not more safe. Our focus over the next two weeks has to be reining in a lawless and immoral immigration agency.”
As the February 13 deadline approaches, both parties are under pressure to compromise — or risk extending the shutdown, with real consequences for federal workers and public services.
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