WASHINGTON – In an attempt to force the White House into reforms for the Department of Homeland Security, Democrats are risking yet another partial government shutdown.
But Republicans have been quick to point out an irony in that strategy: Regardless of whether funding for DHS lapses after Friday, Feb. 13, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, will continue operating.
The division of the agency most responsible for Democrats' anger – stemming in large part from ICE agents' killing of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis last month – was bolstered in 2025 by billions of dollars from the so-called "One Big, Beautiful Bill Act" Congress passed.
Todd Lyons, ICE's acting director, told lawmakers Feb. 12 that the upcoming shutdown would impact personnel actions such as pay retention, as well as the agency's civilian workforce. But he confirmed ICE would not be critically impacted by a shutdown. Even during last year's record-breaking funding crisis, more than 90% of ICE's employees within DHS kept working.
"If we shut down the department over ICE and CBP enforcement actions in Minneapolis," said Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nevada, during a congressional hearing, "immigration and removal operations will continue."
