While it’s true that the Department of Homeland Security received billions of dollars from Republicans as part of their bill to cut taxes on the wealthy, that money is spread out through 2029. DHS didn’t get all the funds at once. The money intended for ICE was also earmarked for specific tasks, so it cannot be used for general expenses.
From an administrative perspective, this means that ICE still needs to be funded for next year.
The need for funding presents an opportunity for Democrats as DHS funding runs out in less than two weeks.
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While Democrats have momentum on a number of issues heading into the 2026 midterm elections, the killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has sparked calls for a curb on ICE, and many Democrats have already pledged not to defund ICE until restrictions are placed on ICE activities.
Sen. Reuben Gallego (D-AZ) said on CNN’s State Of The Union that ICE must be totally demolished:
Well, look, I think ICE needs to be totally demolished. It has to be created in the image of what people want, right?
And what does it look like? In my experience in Arizona, in a very difficult state on immigration and immigration issues, people want immigration measures that go after criminals, right, and focus on criminals, and immigration measures that actually focus on security, not the goon squad that came from Stephen Miller and Donald Trump, a warrant-issuing squad, one that doesn’t have people in masks and acting like we’re a force third world police.
What we are seeing now is not what we expect from ICE. And we can create and have a force that’s really focused on immigration and security, not this type of intimidation that’s happening now.
CNN’s Jake Tapper asked about the upcoming government funding deadline:
As you know, a government funding bill is due this month, and some Democrats in the House and Senate are increasingly pushing to freeze ICE funding as a point of contention in the government funding bill.
A year ago, you voted to increase funding for ICE. What are you going to do this week this time? Because Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said — quote — “Democrats cannot vote for a Department of Homeland Security budget that does not curb the growing lawlessness of this agency.”
Gallego can’t answer on behalf of all Senate Democrats, but there seems to be a real consensus that Democrats can’t vote for a dime for ICE unless they get changes.
Learn more and watch Gallego’s video below.