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DHS shutdown pauses ICE oversight operations as Democrats withhold support
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The Division of Homeland Safety’s (DHS) inner watchdog has been pressured to droop a good portion of its oversight of immigration enforcement as Democrats proceed to withhold assist for Cupboard-level funding for the company.
A spokesperson for the DHS Workplace of the Inspector Common (OIG) advised Fox Information Digital on Wednesday that the majority of its audits and inspections needed to be paused in the course of the partial authorities shutdown, together with many associated to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Democrats have known as for stricter oversight of ICE since President Donald Trump despatched federal legislation enforcement brokers to blue cities throughout the nation in an effort to crack down on unlawful immigration.
However no less than seven of DHS’s inner investigations into ICE’s conduct have been placed on maintain after Democrats reneged on a bipartisan settlement to fund the division, sending it right into a shutdown.
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Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries speaks to the media alongside Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer, on the White Home, September 29, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)
“Most OIG audits, inspections, and related opinions are paused throughout appropriations expirations. A small variety of OIG audits associated to catastrophe response will proceed as a result of they’re supported by an present appropriations coverage,” the spokesperson stated.
“OIG investigators are exempt from go away and can proceed their work in the course of the interval. OIG doesn’t publicly verify or deny the existence of any specific legal investigation.”
Investigations which were suspended embrace figuring out “whether or not ICE investigates allegations of use of extreme power and holds personnel accountable” and conducting “unannounced inspections to evaluate compliance with ICE detention requirements and guarantee secure, safe and humane circumstances of confinement,” the spokesperson stated.
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An investigation into whether or not Customs and Border Safety (CBP) brokers are conducting home U.S. operations in accordance with DHS coverage and federal legislation has additionally been dropped.
A screenshot from a video exhibits a legislation enforcement officer spraying irritants at Alex Pretti earlier than he was fatally shot by federal brokers in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026. (Reuters)
The CBP investigation is notable as a result of it was CBP brokers who shot and killed nurse Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen, throughout an anti-ICE demonstration in Minneapolis final month.
Democrats had known as for investigations and stricter guardrails after the incident occurred.
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However Pretti’s killing, together with the ICE-involved killing of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, had been two of the main catalysts that Democrats say pushed them away from an earlier bipartisan deal on DHS funding for the rest of the fiscal yr.
The unique DHS funding invoice, which handed the Home of Representatives however failed within the Senate, included new necessary coaching necessities for ICE and a mandate for physique cameras for federal legislation enforcement.
Nevertheless, Democratic leaders have stated that was not sufficient and have rejected one other compromise supply from the White Home in latest days.
ICE brokers conduct immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis, January 28, 2026. (Madison Thorn/Anadolu through Getty Photographs)
Democrats reportedly despatched their very own counteroffer again to Republicans this week, however there seems to be little motion towards an settlement on both aspect.
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Two of Democrats’ largest calls for, requiring courtroom orders to hold out ICE enforcement actions and banning masks for ICE brokers whereas requiring clearly accessible identification, have been labeled as non-starters by Republicans.
A chronic closure of DHS is not going to solely influence ICE oversight, but additionally threaten funding for the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) and the Federal Emergency Administration Company (FEMA), amongst others.