Rep. Glenn Ivey Says DHS Shutdown Has Elevated ICE Debate as Pressure Mounts on Both Parties

By Gloria Ogbonna

During Monday’s broadcast of “Chris Jansing Reports” on MS NOW, Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-MD) addressed the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown and what, if anything, Democrats have gained from the standoff.

Responding to questions about the political impact of the shutdown — now described as the longest in U.S. history — Ivey suggested that while no formal agreement has yet been reached, the debate over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has moved to the forefront in a way it had not just months earlier.

“The ICE issue is certainly prominent in a way that it wasn’t a few months ago,” Ivey said, arguing that heightened public scrutiny has reshaped the national conversation around immigration enforcement.

He indicated that this increased attention may have contributed to leadership changes at the department, referencing former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and suggesting that political pressure played a role in her departure.

Ivey also pointed to what he characterized as new openness from the White House to negotiate. According to him, administration officials have indicated a willingness to “put some things on the table,” potentially including policy adjustments aimed at increasing accountability within ICE. Before leaving her post, he noted, Noem had discussed partial implementation of body cameras for ICE personnel and the retention of recorded footage — measures Ivey described as steps in the right direction, though not sufficient on their own.

Guest host Alex Witt pressed Ivey directly, asking whether Democrats had secured any tangible concessions thus far. Ivey acknowledged that no finalized deal has emerged from negotiations, meaning there are no formal wins to point to yet. However, he maintained that shifting the public debate and applying pressure to bring Republicans to the negotiating table represented meaningful progress.

He added that lawmakers from both parties are feeling the effects of the shutdown back home. Airport disruptions caused by DHS staffing shortages have led to long security lines, with travelers reportedly arriving four, five, or even six hours before scheduled departures to avoid missing flights. Ivey suggested that these frustrations are creating bipartisan urgency.

“Republicans are feeling heat, too, when they go back home,” he said. “Their people want to be able to get through these lines and not have to get to the airport four, five, six hours before their flight’s supposed to leave. So, let’s get it done.”

The broader shutdown has placed immigration policy, ICE operations, and DHS funding at the center of a high-stakes political battle in Washington. Democrats have pushed for increased oversight and accountability measures, while Republicans have emphasized enforcement priorities and border security.

As negotiations continue, both parties face mounting public pressure to resolve the impasse. For now, Ivey’s remarks suggest Democrats see strategic value in elevating the immigration debate — even as travelers, federal employees, and local communities continue to feel the immediate impact of the prolonged shutdown.

Source Breitbart