Democrats have said they will not support long-term funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unless Republicans agree to a series of reforms to the tactics used by federal agents in Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. The move follows the fatal shootings of American citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis last month.
In a letter sent on Wednesday night, Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer and his House counterpart Hakeem Jeffries set out ten formal demands to Republican leadership. They warned that without action, funding for the department, which oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the US Border Patrol, would lapse on 13 February.
The letter said: “The American people rightfully expect their elected representatives to take action to rein in ICE and ensure no more lives are lost.” The proposals include changes concerning masks, identification and judicial warrants, though the full list was not detailed in the source.
Republicans, who control both chambers of Congress, have already ruled out many of the ideas outlined by the Democrats. However, Democrats are expected to introduce legislation to codify their proposed reforms.
