Democrats Demand Changes in ICE Policies Amid Government Shutdown Threat

Mon Feb 02 2026 22:29:52 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As a partial government shutdown looms, Democratic senators are pushing for substantive reforms in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policies, intensifying calls for accountability following recent violence.

With the clock ticking towards a potential government shutdown, Democratic senators are uniting to demand reforms to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Following troubling incidents involving federal agents in Minneapolis, party leaders are advocating for changes that include requiring judicial warrants and proper identification for immigration arrests. The demands aim to enhance accountability and restore public trust as negotiations with Republicans and the White House remain uncertain.

WASHINGTON (AP) — As the deadline for a U.S. government shutdown approaches, Democratic senators are increasingly vocal about their demand for reforms to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), hoping to leverage the situation to pressure Republicans and the White House. This urgent push follows the troubling deaths of two individuals at the hands of federal agents in Minneapolis, which has ignited significant public outcry.

Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has not yet specified the exact demands that his caucus will present before the critical Thursday vote on budget legislation that oversees the Department of Homeland Security and various other federal agencies. Meetings among Democrats are guiding discussions about possible reforms, which are set to include requirements for warrants and identifying federal agents before making immigration arrests. Schumer emphatically stated, “This madness, this terror must stop.”

While Senate Republicans, including Majority Leader John Thune, await the Democrats’ specific proposals, he has highlighted the necessity for dialogue with the White House to resolve these issues. The atmosphere remains tense as it becomes increasingly unclear if bipartisan negotiations could lead to an agreement before the government risks shutting down.

Amidst these discussions, Democrats are united in calling for immediate legislative changes to ICE operations. Proposed requirements include judicial warrants for arrests, mandatory identification for ICE agents, and an end to the enforcement quotas criticized for creating a climate of fear across communities.

Senator Chris Murphy from Connecticut reinforced the notion that these adjustments are essential not just to unify the Democratic caucus but to restore confidence among the American public. He labeled the proposed changes as straightforward and achievable without extensive legislative overhaul.

Currently, as negotiations stall and a partial government shutdown looms, Democrats hold firm. Schumer and Murphy insist that any reforms must originate from Congress to ensure accountability, which is controversial among hopeful solutions presented by the administration.

While Republicans have indicated a reluctance to amend the spending package seen as pivotal for averting shutdowns, Democrats are steadfast in their resolve to take a moral stand following the violent incidents that have shaken community trust in federal enforcement agencies. With public sentiment growing in favor of accountability, the outcome of these negotiations remains uncertain as the deadline approaches, suggesting a significant moment in the ongoing discourse surrounding immigration policy in the U.S.