February 11, 2026
DHS shutdown deadline looms as Democrats block ICE reforms
Shutdown deadline arrives after agents killed two US citizens
🏛️Government🛂Immigration🛡️National Security
The Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill must pass by Feb. 13, 2026 to avoid a shutdown. DHS includes ICE, TSA, Coast Guard, FEMA, Secret Service, and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. The agency employs approximately 240,000 people.
On Jan. 24, 2026, ICE agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, 37, during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. On Jan. 28, agents shot and killed Renee Good in a separate Minneapolis operation. Both were US citizens. The FBI is investigating both killings.
Senate Democrats are demanding four reforms before they will vote for DHS funding. First, body cameras for all ICE agents conducting enforcement operations. Second, stricter warrant requirements before entering homes. Third, updated use-of-force policies. Fourth, a ban on masked agents during operations.
Senate Majority Leader 
Chuck Schumer said Democrats will not fund DHS until accountability measures are in place. House Speaker 
Mike Johnson called the demands non-starters that would hamstring law enforcement. The House passed a clean DHS funding bill but the Senate blocked it.
Over 90% of DHS employees are classified as essential personnel who must continue working during a shutdown. This includes all TSA airport security screeners, Coast Guard active duty personnel, FEMA disaster response teams, and Secret Service agents. Essential employees work without pay until Congress passes a funding bill.
ICE received $75 billion in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that Congress passed in January 2026. This funding is separate from the annual DHS appropriations bill. Immigration enforcement operations will continue regardless of whether DHS shuts down. The Big Beautiful Bill funding lasts through fiscal year 2027.
A poll conducted Jan. 14-16, 2026 showed Trump immigration approval at 39% overall. This was before the Minneapolis killings. The administration ended Operation Metro Surge on Feb. 11 in response to public backlash. Border czar Tom Homan announced the drawdown would begin immediately.
🏛️Government🛂Immigration🛡️National Security
People, bills, and sources
Chuck Schumer
Senate Majority Leader (D-NY)
Mike Johnson
House Speaker (R-LA)
Tom Homan
Border Czar
Alex Pretti
US citizen killed by ICE agents
Renee Good
US citizen killed by ICE agents
Ruben Gallego
U.S. Senator (D-AZ)
Mark Kelly
U.S. Senator (D-AZ)
Scott Peters
U.S. Representative (D-CA-50)
Dan Goldman
U.S. Representative (D-NY-10)
Elizabeth Warren
U.S. Senator (D-MA)
Chris Coons
U.S. Senator (D-DE)
What you can do
1
civic action
Contact your senators about DHS funding
The Senate will vote on DHS funding. Contact your senators to tell them whether you support requiring ICE accountability measures or funding DHS without conditions.
2
monitoring
Track ICE accountability legislation on Congress.gov
Monitor three key bills: H.R. 673 (ICE Security Reform Act), H.R. 5973 (Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act), and the DHS appropriations bill. Set up email alerts on Congress.gov to get notified when these bills advance.
3
advocacy
Support organizations advocating for ICE reforms
These organizations file lawsuits against unjust ICE practices, provide legal representation to immigrants, conduct oversight investigations, and advocate for congressional reforms. You can donate, volunteer, share their resources, or use their action alerts to contact your representatives.
4
monitoring
Monitor DHS shutdown impacts on federal workers
Over 240,000 DHS employees face working without pay during the shutdown. Track shutdown impacts through OPM guidance, union updates from AFGE, and news coverage. Essential workers include 61,000 TSA screeners (95% of workforce), 56,000 Coast Guard personnel, FEMA disaster response teams, and Secret Service agents.