Government enters third day of partial shutdown as Democrats make three demands about ICE
Ellie Kemp
Featured Image Credit: Jim Watson - Pool/Getty Images
The government has entered its third day of partial shutdown over reforms to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
A bill funding the department for the next two weeks was agreed upon by the Senate, while most of the federal government has been funded up until September.
But the House of Representatives, which re-opens today (February 2) is still to approve the bill.
It is believed a vote will take place on Tuesday, CNN reports.
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Now, Democrats are negotiating additional changes following the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti during a protest in Minneapolis on January 24.
Weeks earlier, mom Renee Nicole Good was shot dead by ICE agent Jonathan Ross while behind the wheel of her car, also in Minneapolis.
Their deaths have sparked international outrage as President Donald Trump enforces tougher immigration regulations across the US.
Democrats are keen on enforcing three areas of reform, as NPR reports.
These include limits on ICE arrest powers, such as requiring judicial warrants - not just administrative ones - to enter homes and ending 'roving patrols' and broad stop-and-search operations.
They are also calling for stronger accountability and investigations, making it easier to pursue legal action against immigration officers and requiring independent investigations, rather than DHS investigating itself.
Finally, Democrats are wanting all ICE agents to wear mandatory body cameras and to stop the use of face coverings, making them easier to identify.
The last government shutdown, the longest ever recorded, began in October and lasted 43 days. It was over expiring health insurance subsidies that affect around 24 million Americans.
Five of the six Democrats who sided with Republicans to break the last impasse have now said they were willing to risk another shutdown over DHS reforms, NPR said.
"ICE is out of control, Donald Trump is out of control," Democrat Senator Jacky Rosen of Nevada said. "Our Constitution, not a suggestion, our Bill of Rights, not a suggestion."
Meanwhile, Senator Chris Murphy added: "I think if we're fighting for these reforms, we're exactly where the American people want us to be."
Republicans have a different view, as Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma said: "The American people wanted the president to enforce law and order and ICE is doing their job."
Republican Senator James Lankford, also of Oklahoma, who is part of the homeland security committee, added that the current DHS funding bill awaiting a vote already includes additional funding for body cameras and oversight.
"I don't see one that's needed above and beyond what's already there," he added.