UPDATE: Senate Republicans are moving forward with a controversial plan to allocate an additional $10 billion to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) this week, igniting widespread outrage following the tragic shooting of Alex Pretti, an intensive-care nurse in Minneapolis.
This funding decision comes just days after the fatal incident, which was captured on video from multiple angles, stirring public emotion and calls for accountability. “My support for funding ICE remains the same,” declared Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE), with other GOP lawmakers echoing similar sentiments as they prepare for votes on a package of six government appropriations bills.
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) bluntly stated, “We’re not defunding ICE. Live with it,” reflecting the party’s determination to push the funding through despite mounting criticism. An unnamed Republican aide confirmed to Punchbowl that “government funding expires at the end of the week, and Republicans are determined to avoid another government shutdown.”
One of the bills under consideration will provide $64.4 billion to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which includes the controversial funding for ICE—an agency that already boasts a budget exceeding that of many national militaries. Last summer, congressional Republicans and former President Donald Trump approved $170 billion in new funding aimed at immigration enforcement.
In a direct challenge to the GOP’s funding plans, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) reportedly has the votes to block the DHS funding bill. Senate Democrats are advocating for the separation of the DHS legislation from the broader appropriations bills to facilitate discussions on ICE reforms and avert a looming shutdown on January 30.
In a statement that underscores the urgency of the situation, Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), the Democrats’ top appropriator in the Senate, said, “Federal agents cannot murder people in broad daylight and face zero consequences.” Murray has vowed not to support the DHS bill unless it is split from the larger funding package, emphasizing that “blocking the DHS funding bill will not shut down ICE,” as the agency already possesses a substantial fund to draw from.
Murray’s call for accountability resonates with many, including Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen, who criticized ICE’s extensive budget, stating, “this federal enforcement agency is running rampant with an outrageous budget that dwarfs most countries’ militaries.”
As the debate intensifies over ICE funding, Amy Fischer, director for refugee and migrant rights at Amnesty International USA, raised a critical question: “How many more people must die before US leaders act?” Fischer highlighted the dire choice facing the Senate: to continue funding an agency accused of endangering lives or to take meaningful steps to curb its abuses.
With the Senate scheduled to vote on the appropriations package soon, observers are closely watching how many Democratic votes Republicans can secure to pass the funding with DHS appropriations included. Last week, seven House Democrats crossed party lines to support the DHS funding, but it remains uncertain whether similar bipartisan support will emerge in the Senate.
As public outrage grows and calls for reform resonate, the Senate’s decision in the coming days could have far-reaching implications for immigration policy and the future of ICE. The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated, as lawmakers grapple with balancing national security and the pressing need for accountability in federal law enforcement.
Stay tuned for updates as this developing story unfolds.
