US Senate clears key hurdle in bid to fund two immigration agencies

April 23, 2026

The U.S. Senate has taken a significant step toward resolving a government funding impasse by passing a measure to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) through the end of President Trump's term. Republicans bypassed Democratic opposition by using a procedural maneuver requiring only a simple majority, with the vote passing 50-48 in an early morning session. Democrats have blocked funding for these agencies following fatal shootings of two Minneapolis residents by federal agents during immigration raids in January, demanding reforms as a condition for approval.

Who is affected

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) employees
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees facing unpaid salaries
Alex Pretti and Renee Good (Minneapolis residents shot dead by federal agents)
Airport travelers who experienced security checkpoint delays and chaos in March
Airport security officers who quit their jobs or didn't show up for work
Ordinary Americans impacted by the shutdown

What action is being taken

The Senate has passed a measure to fund ICE and CBP through the end of Trump's term
Republicans are using a procedural maneuver that allows passage with a simple Senate majority
Democrats are tabling amendments (in a "vote-a-rama" process)
DHS is operating without funding since February 14

Why it matters

This represents the longest partial government shutdown in U.S. history, creating severe operational consequences for homeland security functions. The funding impasse has direct impacts on national security and public safety, as evidenced by the airport security crisis in March when hundreds of officers abandoned their posts, causing massive delays. The situation has reached a critical point where the Homeland Security Secretary warns the department will run out of money to pay employee salaries in early May, potentially crippling essential security operations if Congress doesn't resolve the standoff.

What's next

Both the Thursday resolution and the separate DHS funding measure require approval from the House
Trump wants a budget package on his desk for signature by June 1
The Homeland Security Secretary states the department will run out of money to pay employees' salaries in the first week of May

Read full article from source: BBC