US Government Partially Shuts Down Over Immigration Enforcement Funding Dispute

Democrats in Congress refuse to budge on their call for immigration enforcement reform as part of the annual spending budget, an impasse that has now caused part of the government to shut down.

With the Feb. 12 deadline past and no agreement reached, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is closed for 10 days while senators go on leave.

Disagreements occurred over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a division of DHS, and its operations in Minnesota over the past few months.

Operation Metro Surge began in early December as part of a broader campaign tied to President Donald Trump’s promise to arrest illegal immigrants with criminal histories in the country and stop illegal immigration. 

It originally focused on the Twin Cities, Minneapolis–Saint Paul, and later expanded to the whole state.

On Feb. 12, White House border czar Tom Homan announced that enough significant progress had been made in Minnesota, so the surge in enforcement would end in the state.

Homan relayed that over 4,000 arrests of illegal immigrants had been made, “including murderers, sex offenders, national security threats, gang members, and other violent criminals.”

“A significant drawdown has already been underway this week and will continue into the next week,” Homan said at a press conference on Feb. 12.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) accused federal officers of wrongdoing, saying more reforms were needed.

“ICE’s abuses cannot be solved merely through executive fiat alone,” Schumer said on the Senate floor on Feb.12.

Homan was called in to fix the situation in late January following the second fatal shooting of a protester by immigration authorities. At a Jan. 29 press conference, he blamed the conflict on the constant rhetoric from local leaders and congressional Democrats.

He blamed on-the-ground tension on a lack of cooperation from local government and suggested coordinated pickups of criminal illegal immigrants from prisons. 

On Jan. 24, Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, was fatally shot during a confrontation with Border Patrol agents. Pretti had been carrying a gun, which isn’t illegal in the state.

On Jan. 7, Renee Nicole Good, 37, was shot by an ICE agent while in her vehicle, which DHS said was driven toward the agent.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the officer acted in self-defense, saying that Good had “been stalking and impeding their work all throughout the day,” alongside a “mob of agitators.”

Noem said there had been 100 vehicle rammings over the previous weeks.

FBI Director Kash Patel said on Jan. 26 that investigations were underway over groups alleged to be funding anti-ICE protests. 

“We’ve actually found groups and individuals responsible for funding it ‘cause it’s not happening organically,” Kash told podcaster Benny Johnson.

The Justice Department considers Minnesota a sanctuary state, according to an August 2025 statement, meaning it shields illegal immigrants by restricting local police from cooperating with federal immigration authorities.

The United States government’s budget must pass the House and Senate, then be signed by the president. Because of those three hurdles, government shutdowns aren’t uncommon in the United States.

Countries like the UK face pressure from no-confidence votes on budgeting, which could lead to government collapse.

The DHS shutdown means many federal employees will go without pay. It could also lead to limited disaster response, slowed visa processing, and shipping delays.

Also, airports may experience longer lines, flight delays, or cancellations, as was seen during the 43-day shutdown in October and November.

Emel Akan, Joseph Lord, and Nathan Worcester contributed to this report.