Rep. James Clyburn said Sunday that the ongoing funding impasse affecting the Department of Homeland Security is primarily driven by Democratic opposition to funding for immigration enforcement, particularly the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Speaking in an interview with Al Sharpton on MSNBC, Clyburn argued that Democrats are willing to support funding for other DHS components but are drawing a line on ICE-related spending.
“This is an issue about ICE,” Clyburn said. “Not anything to do with TSA, not anything to do with FEMA, nothing to do with the Coast Guard.” He added that Democrats would support funding legislation that excludes or alters ICE funding provisions.
The standoff follows passage of a major spending package backed by Donald Trump, which includes approximately $75 billion for immigration enforcement operations. Many Democrats have opposed it, calling for reforms to ICE policies and practices.
Senate Democrats have used procedural tactics, including a filibuster, to block DHS funding measures unless changes are made. Among their demands are stricter requirements for immigration arrests—such as the use of judicial warrants—and broader limits on enforcement authority. Republicans have rejected their demands, as such measures would significantly hinder the federal government’s ability to enforce immigration law.
As the dispute continues, several DHS agencies—including the Transportation Security Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection—have been forced to operate under emergency measures. Reports indicate that some federal workers, including TSA personnel, have missed paychecks while continuing to work.
The debate has intensified following fatal incidents involving immigration officers during operations such as “Operation Metro Surge” as justification for new restrictions and oversight. Republicans have emphasized the operations as necessary to address illegal immigration and related criminal activity.
Local officials have also weighed in. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey previously stated that city law enforcement would not coordinate with federal immigration authorities during enforcement efforts, highlighting tensions between federal authorities and sanctuary jurisdictions.
The broader political divide was on display during President Trump most recent State of the Union address, where Democratic lawmakers refused to stand when asked if they would prioritize citizens over those in the country illegally.
With no immediate resolution in sight, the funding standoff continues to impact DHS operations, leaving key agencies navigating uncertainty as negotiations between Democrats and Republicans remain deadlocked.
READ NEXT: DHS Funding Blocked As Shutdown Deadline Nears
Sponsored
John Kennedy here. The last fundraising deadline passed — and we came up short. Now the woke crowd is celebrating, saying “Kennedy’s finished.” Let’s prove them wrong. Chip in $25, $50, or whatever you can to close the gap and keep fighting.
Translation: “We Democrats aka Communists hate and despise real Americans so much that we don’t care in the least how many of them die or lose their jobs because of illegal aliens. All we care about is money, power and control.”