Schumer, Jeffries say GOP ICE counteroffer inadequate as DHS funding deadline nears

WASHINGTON, DC: Democratic leaders pressing for major changes to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement tactics said that a White House counterproposal failed to meet their demands, calling it “incomplete and insufficient.” 

As the clock ticks toward a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding deadline, in a joint statement, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said Republicans had shared only a bare outline of their proposal, without details or legislative text.

Schumer in a post on X on Tuesday, February 10, said, "In response to our commonsense proposals to rein in ICE, Republicans shared an outline of a counterproposal, which included neither details nor legislative text. The GOP response is both incomplete and insufficient in terms of addressing the concerns Americans have about ICE’s lawless conduct," he said. 

Democrats press for limits on ICE tactics

Democrats have outlined a list of 10 reforms they want enacted at DHS, including new restrictions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents. Tensions have intensified as the administration moves aggressively to carry out President Trump’s deportation agenda.

Criticism escalated last month after two US citizens were shot and killed in Minnesota by federal agents, prompting renewed scrutiny of enforcement practices.

Among the Democratic demands are prohibiting federal agents from entering private property without a judicial warrant, adopting a standardized use-of-force policy, banning agents from wearing masks during enforcement operations, and requiring officers to identify themselves and wear body cameras. They also want agents to avoid “sensitive locations” such as schools and churches.

Schumer called the proposals “exceedingly reasonable” in a Monday night post on X. “We’re asking ICE to do nothing more than follow the standards that the vast majority of law enforcement agencies already follow,” he wrote. “Republicans, the ball is in your court. The clock is ticking.”

GOP draws red lines, pushes tougher laws

Republicans have indicated some openness to limited reforms, including body camera requirements and an end to roving patrols. But many GOP lawmakers oppose new warrant mandates and bans on face coverings during operations.

At the same time, some Republicans are seeking to toughen immigration laws, including imposing penalties on state and local officials who do not cooperate with federal enforcement efforts.

“We’re now going on offense,” Sen Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said. He said President Trump’s decision to send border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota was aimed at easing tensions.

“But the idea that we’re going to abandon the campaign promises of President Trump on immigration is not accurate,” Graham added.

The dispute comes as bipartisan negotiations over DHS funding have largely stalled. Lawmakers face a Feb 13 deadline to reach a deal, pass a short-term extension or risk a partial government shutdown, with no clear path forward as talks remain at an impasse.