DHS Shutdown Even Likelier After Dems Issue ICE Demands

"When Chuck Schumer released a brief list of Senate Democratic demands for reforming Immigration and Customs Enforcement as part of his maneuvers just prior to the beginning of a partial government shutdown last week, he had the short-term tactical goal of looking both tough and reasonable. For the moment, it placated the Democrats, who wanted an all-out fight to radically change or even abolish ICE, while holding out the prospect of negotiations with Republicans if they agreed to separate Department of Homeland Security appropriations from the rest of a giant spending package."

"So now, with the federal government reopened and the clock ticking down on a stopgap spending bill for DHS, congressional Democrats are trying to get on the same page about ICE. And while many, particularly in the House, probably wouldn't back any "reforms" for an agency they consider beyond the pale, Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries have put out a new list of demands that are sure to be objectionable to most Republicans."

"This list adds to Schumer's original demands several of particular significance: Protect Sensitive Locations - Prohibit funds from being used to conduct enforcement near sensitive locations, including medical facilities, schools, child-care facilities, churches, polling places, courts, etc. ... Stop Racial Profiling - Prohibit DHS officers from conducting stops, questioning and searches based on an individual's presence at certain locations, their job, their spoken language and accent or their race and ethnicity. ... Body Cameras for Accountability, Not Tracking - Prohibit tracking, creating or maintaining databases of individuals participating in First Amendment activities. For dessert, Jeffries and Schumer suggest "ramping down the surge in Minnesota" and firing Kristi Noem would show the Trump administration's "good faith&q"

Chuck Schumer issued a concise set of Senate Democratic demands aimed at reforming Immigration and Customs Enforcement while appearing both tough and reasonable ahead of a partial government shutdown. The initial demands placated some Democrats and kept open negotiations with Republicans over separating DHS appropriations from a larger spending package, but many House Democrats found them insufficient. Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries later released a broader list that includes prohibiting enforcement near sensitive locations, banning stops based on language, job, or race, and restricting tracking via body-camera programs. The proposals also call for scaling back specific enforcement surges and pressing for leadership accountability.

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