The bidding in the US Congress between Democrats and Republicans has frozen funding for the area that is in charge, among other things, of the forces in charge of detaining migrants. Normal operation is guaranteed until this Friday, February 13; then there will be areas that will cease. ICE? It has a large fund that will allow you to continue with your activities for a while.

First modification: 02/12/2026 - 01:44 Last modification: 02/13/2026 - 21:09

Everything indicates that the United States Department of Homeland Security will close as of this Saturday, February 14, after the Republicans failed in the Senate with a measure that would have financed that portfolio for another two weeks.

Getting around the government shutdown was good news for the Donald Trump Administration. However, there was one item that was not approved, is still under discussion and advances every minute in a field of greater uncertainty: the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The area will go into lockdown if the Democratic blockade in Congress continues. Supporters raised ten points of approval related to security officers and their procedures. Of these, there is hardly any understanding for one.

Given this scenario, the question arises as to what complexities may arise from the closure of DHS.

The controversial ICE, with guaranteed operation

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE) received an allocation of about $10 billion last year, which is not approved by Congress.

However, ICE has onerous support that will allow it to continue operating normally for a while longer: because of the 'Big, Beautiful Law' - the tax megalaw promoted by Donald Trump - it has a supplementary fund of 75 billion dollars.

If DHS closes, ICE will not stop operations completely. However, the attitudes and protocols of their agents are the main obstacle in the chamber, with Democrats demanding identification, court orders and showing their faces - among other points -, especially after two American citizens died at the hands of their agents.

What consequences are there if there is no agreement?

In the event that there is no new budget plan, the Department of Homeland Security will enter an indefinite closure, having to close all its operations, with the exception of essential functions.

For example, Border Patrol will be able to continue operating, as will emergency services, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Transportation Security Administration agents at airports.

The Republican wing is looking for alternative measures to achieve a budget allocation, although with an uncertain outcome. The intention is to move forward with a provisional measure that applies until September 30 (end of the fiscal year) to ensure immigration operations while a bipartisan pact is sought.

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“Drastic changes are needed at the Department of Homeland Security before a DHS funding bill moves forward,” said Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic leader, earlier this week.

What are the Democrats' requests?

To approve the new budget for DHS, the Democratic Party demands that ICE agents be prohibited from raiding homes without court orders, that they carry identification, that they do not wear masks in operations, among other points.

They also call for an end to targeting and detaining civilians based on racial or physical bias. Meanwhile, they want people not to be arrested in certain places, such as voting centers, educational or religious sites.

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The request that officers wear body cameras is the only point on which there is understanding. After the death of two people at the hands of ICE, Prosecutor Patel confirmed that they will implement them.

Why is there division among Republicans?

The moderate wing of the Republican Party has been open to some of the reforms proposed by Democrats, such as the use of personal cameras. However, the most conservative sector describes them as "unrealistic and unserious."

The majority leader of that party in the Senate, John Thune, has proposed a provisional measure to guarantee immigration operations, while Mike Johnson maintains that this represents a concession to the Democrats. Instead, he proposes moving forward with an annual funding proposal for DHS that has already been approved in the Lower House.

If the interim proposal is imposed, several Republicans have expressed their desire for it to last until the end of the fiscal year, on September 30.

With EFE and media

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