DHS Runs Out of Funding as Congress Deadlocks Over ICE Reforms

The Department of Homeland Security has officially run out of money after Congress failed to reach an agreement over proposed reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The partial shutdown means critical federal workers at FEMA, the Coast Guard, and TSA are once again working without paychecks. ICE and Border Patrol agents, however, remain funded — they're covered under what President Trump has called the "Big Beautiful Bill."

The sticking point? Democrats are pushing for a uniform code of conduct for ICE and Border Patrol officers. They want three key changes: requiring judicial warrants before immigration arrests, establishing clear conduct standards, and banning officers from wearing masks during operations.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer defended that last demand bluntly.

"No police department in America doesn't identify themselves," he said.

Republicans fired back, accusing Democrats of trying to undermine enforcement efforts.

"What are you gonna do, expose their faces so you can intimidate their families?" said Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK). "What we want is ICE to do their job."

With Congress out for the week, there's no clear timeline for resolving the standoff. That's raising concerns about how long essential workers will go unpaid.

Republicans say Democrats are staging political theater ahead of President Trump's State of the Union address, scheduled for Tuesday, February 24th.

Democratic leadership pushed back on that characterization, saying they're hopeful a deal can be reached before the speech.

In the meantime, though, thousands of federal employees who protect airports, respond to disasters, and patrol American waters are left waiting.