DHS shutdown looms as funding bill fails over immigration demands

February 13, 2026

The US Senate failed to pass a procedural vote to fund the Department of Homeland Security before a Saturday midnight deadline due to disagreements over immigration enforcement policies. Democrats are demanding new restrictions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, including body camera requirements and bans on mask-wearing by agents, following the deaths of two US citizens. While ICE will continue operations due to separate funding from previous legislation supporting deportation efforts, other DHS agencies like FEMA and TSA face potential disruptions, with airport security screeners and disaster response workers at risk of going unpaid.

Who is affected

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents
Two US citizens who were killed (prompting the Democratic demands)
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) personnel
TSA (Transportation Security Administration) officers and airport security screeners
State and local police departments
Personnel responsible for protecting US infrastructure from cyber-attacks
Democrats and Republicans in the Senate
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer
Senate Majority Leader John Thune

What action is being taken

The Senate held a procedural vote on Thursday that failed to advance the DHS funding bill
Democrats are pushing for reforms including bans on masks for agents, body camera requirements, bans on racial profiling, and restrictions on enforcement locations
The Trump administration is providing body cameras for officers in Minneapolis before a nationwide rollout
Republicans are demanding provisions to force local and state police cooperation with federal immigration officials
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem held a news conference in California near the US-Mexico border

Why it matters

This funding impasse matters because it affects critical national security and public safety operations beyond immigration enforcement. While ICE operations will continue due to separate funding, essential services like disaster response through FEMA and airport security through TSA face disruption, with workers going unpaid after Friday. The dispute represents a broader conflict over immigration enforcement practices and oversight, particularly regarding accountability and civil liberties protections. The cyber-security infrastructure protection funding is also at risk, potentially leaving the country vulnerable to terrorist attacks according to DHS officials. The deadlock reflects deep partisan divisions over how immigration enforcement should be conducted and supervised in the United States.

What's next

The Senate is on a week-long recess but senators could be called back if a deal is reached in the meantime
The nationwide rollout of body cameras for immigration officers is planned following the Minneapolis implementation
DHS sub-agencies like FEMA and TSA will experience funding impacts, with officers not being paid after Friday

Read full article from source: BBC