White House sends DHS shutdown counteroffer; Democrats say they're reviewing it

On Feb. 27, 2026, the White House sent congressional Democrats its latest counteroffer to resolve the partial Department of Homeland Security shutdown. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said in a joint statement they had received it and were reviewing it closely.

Democrats' joint statement said they remained 'committed to keep fighting for real reforms to rein in ICE and stop the violence,' signaling that the counteroffer had not yet met their conditions. The shutdown standoff had lasted more than three weeks by the time of the Feb. 27 offer.

The partial DHS shutdown began in early February 2026 after Senate Democrats blocked a continuing resolution over their demands for ICE accountability measures. Democrats pointed to a pattern of incidents — including two U.S. citizen deaths in Minneapolis, vehicle crashes injuring bystanders, and reported warrantless detentions — as justification for demanding oversight mechanisms before approving DHS funding.

Core ICE enforcement operations have continued throughout the shutdown because they draw from separately appropriated funds and fee-based accounts. The shutdown has primarily affected other DHS components including TSA administrative functions, FEMA preparedness programs, and USCIS processing for non-fee-funded applications.

Republicans have accused Democrats of holding national security funding hostage to protect undocumented immigrants. Senate Majority Leader JTJohn Thune (R-SD) called the blockade 'an unprecedented use of the minority to shield lawbreakers from consequences.' The White House had previously sent at least one counteroffer before the Feb. 27 proposal.

The DHS shutdown is the second major government funding crisis of the fiscal year. FY 2026 began with a full government shutdown from Oct. 1 through Nov. 12, 2025 — the longest in modern history. A partial CR ending that shutdown funded DHS through January 30, when negotiations broke down again over the ICE question.

Democrats' demands have centered on requiring judicial warrants for ICE arrests in certain locations, establishing an independent inspector general review of ICE use-of-force incidents, and restoring due process protections for asylum seekers. Republicans have rejected all three, calling them efforts to obstruct immigration enforcement.

The shutdown has created real-world consequences for tens of thousands of federal workers. DHS employs about 260,000 people; those whose positions rely on affected appropriations have been furloughed or working without pay during the standoff.