DHS Leaders Warn Shutdown Would Undermine Security as Funding Talks Stall

Senior immigration and border officials told lawmakers that a lapse in Department of Homeland Security funding would disrupt operations, hurt morale, and make the country less safe as negotiations drag toward a shutdown deadline.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

Top Department of Homeland Security officials warned lawmakers on Feb. 10 that a shutdown of the agency would weaken national security and disrupt the work of thousands of federal employees, as Republicans and Democrats remain deadlocked days before a Feb. 13 funding deadline.

Todd Lyons, acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said during a congressional hearing that a lapse in funding would directly affect officers tasked with combating serious threats. “It will have a great impact, especially on the Homeland Security Task Forces and the men and women that are focused on the transnational crime and foreign terrorist organizations,” Lyons told committee members.

Rodney Scott, commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, echoed those concerns, saying the current political climate surrounding immigration enforcement is already straining personnel. “I would agree America becomes less safe,” Scott said, adding that ongoing rhetoric and politicization undermine morale among agents.

The testimony came as lawmakers continued negotiations over a DHS funding bill ahead of the shutdown deadline. Democrats have tied their support for funding to changes in immigration enforcement practices, while Republicans have warned that failing to pass a bill would disrupt agencies across the department.

Democratic demands intensified after recent immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis sparked protests, some of which turned violent. Two protesters were shot and killed during the unrest. In response, Democrats have called for new use-of-force standards, clearer identification for DHS officers, judicial warrants for certain actions, and measures to prevent what they describe as racial profiling.

“Our position has been clear: Dramatic changes are needed at the Department of Homeland Security before a DHS funding bill moves forward,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said at a press conference on Feb. 9.

One area of potential agreement involves body cameras for federal agents. Lyons told lawmakers that more than 3,000 of roughly 13,000 ICE agents currently have body cameras, with another 6,000 expected to receive them. Scott said about 10,000 of the nation’s 20,000 Border Patrol agents are equipped with cameras.

House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y., warned that a shutdown would also affect employees at the Transportation Security Administration and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “My top priority as chairman is, and will always be, protecting America while ensuring the safety of law enforcement,” Garbarino said, calling the looming deadline especially concerning.

Republicans at the hearing suggested that limiting roving immigration patrols in major cities could be a point of compromise. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, said such patrols “should be done at the border rather than in the major cities of the United States.” Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, chairman of the Republican Study Committee, said roving patrols are among the issues “up for discussion” as talks continue.

Democrats also renewed calls for ICE agents to remove masks during operations. Rep. Seth Magaziner, D-R.I., said, “There needs to be major reforms before we vote to give any of you funding. Your agencies need to act like other law enforcement agencies.” Republican leaders countered that forcing agents to remove masks could expose them and their families to doxing and threats.

Despite limited areas of overlap, neither side expressed confidence that a deal would be reached before the deadline. Pfluger said Republicans remain skeptical of Democratic intentions, while Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the GOP counterproposal was “incomplete and insufficient,” noting that it lacked detailed legislative text. As of Tuesday morning, that counterproposal had not been released publicly.