U.S. News
Fresh Bid to End DHS Shutdown Sparks New Immigration Battle
Clear Facts
- Congressional Democrats sent counteroffer to White House 18 days after Trump administration proposal.
- White House official confirmed receipt late Monday for review.
- Democrats demand ending agent masking, roving patrols, requiring judicial warrants for immigration arrests.
- Shutdown stems from backlash to Minnesota Operation Metro Surge including Alex Pretti shooting.
- ICE and CBP funded via prior One Big Beautiful Bill Act minimizing immigration impact.
- At least 300 TSA agents quit amid unpaid work causing airport delays nationwide.
- Secretary Kristi Noem exits March 31; Sen. Markwayne Mullin nominated to replace her.
Congressional Democrats issued another counteroffer in stalled talks to end the Department of Homeland Security shutdown, prioritizing curbs on immigration enforcement over American safety.
Republicans highlight generous White House concessions like increased body camera funding and audits, yet Democrats view the crisis as political leverage.
Sen. Katie Britt leads GOP negotiations but reports Democratic uncooperativeness.
“Dems sent over a counteroffer late last night and White House is currently reviewing,” a White House official confirmed Tuesday afternoon.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) stated Democrats see shutdown as “political winner” despite White House offers exceeding original bill.
“I mean, I just, you know, even with respect to body cameras, there was $20 million in the bill, the original bill. There was $100 million in the proposal from the White House, to include audits by the inspector general, you know, and reviews for noncompliance,” Thune added.
Travelers endure long airport lines as shutdown hits TSA, FEMA, and Coast Guard hardest, unrelated to funded border agencies.
Senate Democrats blame Republicans for blocking non-immigration funding bills six times.
“Right now, we could be paying TSA agents, funding FEMA before the next disaster hits, protecting our cyber defenses, and making sure the Coast Guard gets paid. But Republicans said no,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said last week.
“Democrats have tried—six separate times—to pass simple bills to keep these critical parts of DHS running while negotiations continue. Six times, Republicans came to the floor and blocked them. TSA officers shouldn’t miss paychecks, disaster relief shouldn’t be left hanging, and Americans’ safety shouldn’t be collateral damage in a political standoff Republicans created,” Schumer continued.
Schumer dismissed Noem’s removal as insufficient, demanding broader ICE restraints amid alleged violence.
“The President has fired Kristi Noem—good riddance. But let’s be crystal clear: the problems at DHS go far beyond a personnel change,” Schumer stated March 5.
“Under this administration, Americans have seen devastating violence and reckless ICE actions that have shaken communities across the country. The rot runs deep. If the President wants accountability, he must do more than fire one official — he must end the violence and rein in ICE.”
Democrats’ hardline stance risks public safety to undermine Trump-era border protections.
Stand with strong borders and traditional security—demand Congress prioritize Americans over open-borders activism.
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