Democrats have received a counteroffer from the White House regarding their demands for reforms to federal immigration enforcement, with a critical funding deadline for the Department of Homeland Security just days away. Democratic leaders quickly dismissed the proposal as inadequate, highlighting ongoing tensions in negotiations that could lead to a partial government shutdown if not resolved.
The counteroffer, delivered on Monday, February 9, 2026, came in response to legislative text sent by Democrats over the weekend outlining their demands for changes to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) practices. According to sources familiar with the matter, the White House’s response lacked detailed legislative text, prompting criticism from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. In a joint statement, they called the GOP outline “incomplete and insufficient,” emphasizing that it fails to address concerns about ICE’s conduct.
Republican leaders, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, expressed optimism about the negotiations, noting that the exchange of proposals signifies progress. Thune indicated that while there is movement, a stopgap funding bill might be necessary to extend the deadline and allow more time for discussions. He warned that without an agreement by Friday, February 13, DHS could face a funding lapse, but hoped cooler heads would prevail to avoid a shutdown.
Democrats have laid out specific demands, such as requiring ICE officers to remove masks during operations and mandating judicial warrants for deportations, which they argue are necessary to increase transparency and accountability. Republicans, however, contend that these measures are impractical and could endanger agents, with Speaker Mike Johnson labeling some demands as unreasonable and not conducive to effective immigration enforcement.
The possibility of a continuing resolution (CR) to temporarily fund DHS is on the table, but many Democrats are hesitant to support it without substantial concessions on reforms. Senators like Tim Kaine and Tammy Duckworth have stated that their support for a CR depends on the seriousness of Republican negotiations, while others, such as Cory Booker, firmly oppose any funding that does not include immediate changes to rein in ICE.
This standoff occurs against the backdrop of recent incidents, including the fatal shootings of U.S. citizens by immigration officials in Minneapolis, which have intensified calls for reform. Democrats argue that the public demands accountability, and they are drawing a “line in the sand” to ensure that any funding deal includes meaningful oversight and changes to enforcement protocols.
If negotiations stall, a partial shutdown of DHS could disrupt agency operations, affecting everything from border security to disaster response. However, with the Munich Security Conference approaching and lawmakers planning to leave town, there is pressure to reach a quick resolution, possibly through a short-term extension that kicks the can down the road.
In the coming days, the focus will be on whether Republicans provide more detailed counterproposals and if Democrats are willing to compromise. The outcome will not only determine DHS funding but also set the tone for future bipartisan negotiations in a politically divided Congress.
