There are only a few days left to avert another government shutdown in the USA. This time, however, only a single ministry would be affected, at least since the fatal shooting two US citizens in Minneapolis In the public eye last month: the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Above all, the approach the immigration authorities ICE is a thorn in the side of the Democrats. After the US Congress was able to agree on another budget package last week, which… a four-day shutdown keeps much of the government running until September 30th, funding for DHS is now on the agenda. Last week’s agreement gave DHS a nearly two-week deadline that will expire Friday. Democrats are demanding reforms, Republicans are willing to negotiate. Nevertheless, an agreement before the deadline seems unlikely.
Democratic leadership in the US Congress last week presented a list of demands to ensure that ICE officers change their tactics in the future and be held accountable for misconduct. These include measures such as the constant wearing of body cameras and badges, the standardization of uniforms to avoid the impression of a paramilitary police force and a ban on masks.
ICE officers should also be prevented from entering private property without a warrant. Raids near schools or churches should be stopped and searches based solely on origin, language, accent or profession should be banned. The Democrats presented a total of ten such demands last week. If Republicans do not agree to these reform proposals, it would jeopardize the funding of DHS and all related agencies. In addition to ICE, this would also be the border protection agency CBP, the civil protection agency FEMA, the American Coast Guard and the airport security agency TSA.
Republicans are not convinced
“I don’t think there is much interest in continuing to fund this out-of-control agency – which is killing American citizens and tear gassing elementary schools – without reform. More people will die if we continue to fund the Department of Homeland Security,” Senator Chris Murphy said Monday. Republicans are open to change, but they consider some of the reform proposals to be excessive because they would limit the tasks of immigration authorities.
“The Democrats’ proposal is absurd because it would prevent us from deporting criminals who entered the country illegally and pose a threat to America,” said Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. The Republican faction leader in the Senate, John Thune, believes it is almost impossible for Congress to reach an agreement by Friday. There will be several hearings in Congress over the next few days regarding DHS and ICE.
If funding for the Department of Homeland Security runs out at the weekend, this would not automatically mean the end of ICE operations. ICE and CBP received billions in funding last summer as part of the Republican tax and spending package.
“I think it’s going to take a few weeks. Until then, we’re going to pass a stopgap budget that just maintains the status quo because Democrats don’t want to be held responsible for hurting FEMA, TSA or the Coast Guard,” Republican Sen. John Kennedy predicted.