Schumer says Democrats ‘held it up’ DHS funding to push ICE and CBP reforms, blames GOP for shutdown

WASHINGTON, DC: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Dems deliberately held off on funding the Department of Homeland Security to push for reforms at immigration enforcement agencies, including ICE and CBP. The shutdown continues as lawmakers remain deadlocked.

During a recent appearance, Schumer blamed Republicans for the ongoing funding standoff while emphasizing that Democrats’ delay was aimed at securing changes to agency operations.

Chuck Schumer says Dems sought changes to ICE and CBP

On Thursday’s broadcast of CNN’s Situation Room, Schumer (D-NY) said, “We held it up because we wanted, as I mentioned before, to reform ICE and CBP.” He added that Democrats have been trying to fund TSA and the Coast Guard, but repeated Republican objections have blocked progress.

The senator said the delay was caused by calls for changes in how the agencies work. The shutdown started in February when lawmakers couldn’t agree on how to fund DHS, mostly due to disagreements over immigration enforcement.

“So, this shutdown is on their back and the failure—their failure to want to reform ICE and Border Patrol,” Schumer said. “All we want them to do is what every police department does: use warrants, cooperate with local authorities. The American people want that. Everyone wants that. But a group of right-wing Republicans prefer ICE and CBP to operate as is.”

Democrats have called for limits on enforcement practices and increased oversight. Republicans, meanwhile, have pushed to maintain or expand funding for border security operations.

DHS funding standoff focuses on immigration enforcement

Answering questions about whether Dems were engaging in political posturing, Schumer said, “We held it up because we wanted to reform ICE and CBP, which are lawless. The American people are overwhelmingly on our side.”

Recent efforts in the Senate have focused on a compromise to fund most of DHS while addressing ICE and CBP separately, though the House has yet to fully act on the proposal, leaving federal workers and public services impacted by the shutdown.