Trump demands Congress 'fix' DHS as Leavitt blasts Dems for holding country hostage

WASHINGTON, DC: The White House said on Monday, March 30, that President Donald Trump is urging lawmakers to return to Washington, DC, to pass funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as the government shutdown continues.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president has taken interim executive actions to maintain operations but is calling on Congress to enact a long-term solution.

The remarks come as parts of DHS face disruptions and amid broader policy developments related to immigration processing. Officials emphasized the need for legislative action to fully restore agency functions.

White House urges Congress to fund DHS and end shutdown 

Leavitt said during a press briefing that the administration is seeking a permanent resolution through congressional action rather than relying on executive measures.

“The president has stepped in to do the right thing at this moment in time, but the president is also encouraging Congress to come back to Washington to permanently fix this problem and to fund and reopen the Department of Homeland Security entirely,” she said.

She indicated that while temporary steps have been taken, they are not a substitute for legislative funding. 

“The president just can't keep signing presidential memorandums and proclamations every time Congress fails to do its JOB and every time Democrats are holding our entire country HOSTAGE!” Leavitt said, underscoring the administration’s position that responsibility lies with lawmakers to pass a funding bill.

As part of interim actions, Trump signed an executive order to ensure pay for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers during the shutdown.

The move was framed as a measure to maintain continuity in critical transportation security operations while broader funding issues remain unresolved.

Leavitt also reiterated that the administration expects congressional leadership to intervene. “The Senate GOP needs to STEP IN and FIX THIS,” she said, highlighting calls for action from within Congress to address the impasse.

DHS operations continue as asylum processing resumes 

Amid the funding dispute, the administration has moved forward with certain DHS-related policy decisions.

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), an agency within DHS, is set to resume the review of asylum applications after a temporary pause. 

The suspension followed a November incident in Washington, DC, involving an Afghan national who had previously been granted asylum.

According to a USCIS spokesperson, the agency will restart processing for applicants from countries not considered high-risk under the administration’s expanded travel restrictions.

“USCIS has lifted the adjudicative hold for thoroughly screened asylum seekers from non-high-risk countries,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “This move allows resources to focus on continued rigorous national security and public safety vetting for higher-risk cases.”

The policy adjustment signals an effort to balance ongoing immigration enforcement priorities with the continuation of application reviews. However, broader DHS operations remain affected by the lack of full funding, reinforcing the administration’s call for legislative action.