Shutdown won’t stop ICE, CBP operations thanks to massive funding from Trump’s 'Big, Beautiful Bill'

WASHINGTON, DC: Senate Democrats are indicating that they may block a major government funding package this week in response to the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis. This move could potentially lead to a partial shutdown of parts of the federal government.

Democrats have pledged not to advance the funding package unless the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill is separated or significantly reformed, citing concerns over immigration enforcement practices. 

The Senate was set to advance a six-bill package to fund the remaining government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  
However, following the shooting death of 3-year-old Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents on Saturday, marking the second deadly incident in Minneapolis this month, Democrats, facing pressure from their base, have decided to remove DHS funding from the broader funding measure. 

Billions ensure agencies remain fully operational

Despite the political clash, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) would continue operating without interruption. That is due to the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) enacted last year, which delivered roughly $165 billion in funding to DHS.

The law has allocated approximately $75 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and $65 billion for Customs and Border Protection (CBP), significantly surpassing their usual annual budgets. As a result, these agencies already have the necessary resources to implement the administration's mass deportation agenda, regardless of the ongoing appropriations debate. The bill currently under consideration in the Senate proposes $64.4 billion in discretionary funding for the fiscal year, which includes about $10 billion for ICE, a small fraction of what is already available.

Funding lapse leaves agents without constraints

Democratic appropriators have acknowledged that blocking the new funding measure would not curb immigration enforcement and could instead remove legislative guardrails. A summary from the office of Senator Patty Murray, the top Democratic appropriator, warned that a lapse “would instead allow ICE and CBP to continue their operations using OBBBA funds — but without any of the constraints imposed by an enacted funding bill.”

Other components of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), such as FEMA, TSA, and the Coast Guard, would face shutdowns or be forced to operate without pay. Representative Rosa DeLauro’s office noted that during a funding lapse, “ICE would be able to sustain regular operations for multiple years,” while other agencies would face furloughs. Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) highlighted this disparity on X, writing, “Even if this fails, ICE will still have about 87% more funding than last year.”

Democrats block funding after Minneapolis shooting

The immediate trigger for the impasse is the shooting of Pretti, which has prompted Senate Democrats to urge Republican leaders to pull the DHS measure. Any changes, however, would require House approval, and the chamber is currently in recess, complicating efforts to avert a shutdown before funding expires at 12 a.m. Saturday.

Congress has so far passed six of the 12 required appropriations bills. The remaining package covers the departments of Defense, State, Treasury, and Education. Senate Republican leaders have begun procedural steps to bring the full bundle to the floor, but with only 53 GOP senators, they need Democratic votes to reach the 60-vote threshold.

Collins warns against dangerous government shutdown

Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), the top Republican appropriator, advocated for the passage of the DHS bill on the Senate floor Monday. She stated the Minneapolis shooting has “refocused attention” on this legislation and acknowledged the concerns raised by her colleagues.

Collins emphasized that the measure includes safeguards and that a significant portion of the funding is allocated for non-immigration purposes. “I hope we can come together in a constructive way to get this done and to ensure that we do not lurch into a dangerous and detrimental government shutdown,” she said.