Democrats Demand ICE Make 10 Modifications: Learn Full Checklist

[ad_1] U.S. Home Democratic Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Democratic Minority Chief Chuck Schumer despatched Republican leaders a listing of immigration enforcement reforms they mentioned should be included in a Division of Homeland Safety (DHS) funding settlement.

They launched an in depth set of calls for Wednesday evening geared toward U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) practices, in response to a joint press launch.

The letter, addressed to Home Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Chief John Thune, sought “guardrails” on ICE operations, together with warrant and identification necessities, a ban on face coverings and obligatory physique cameras.

Why It Issues The calls for landed as Congress faces a February 13 deadline to fund DHS following a short-term extension, with Democrats linking their push to 2 lethal shootings by federal brokers in Minneapolis final month. A number of retailers reported that Democrats conditioned assist for a full-year DHS invoice on adjustments to ICE procedures.

The ICE coverage struggle continues to unfold throughout high-stakes negotiations to avert a DHS shutdown, with Democrats arguing that new requirements are wanted to enhance accountability amid public scrutiny of latest enforcement techniques.

<img id="11468332" alt="" caption="A person looks out of their vehicle as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents walk away, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Richfield, Minn. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)" captionoverride="A driver watches as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents patrol the streets on January 15 in Richfield, Minnesota. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)" credit="" sourcealt="" sources="[]" fetchpriority="auto" loading="lazy" width="3277" height="2185" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" src="color:transparent;aspect-ratio:inherit;object-fit:cover" sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 1536px, (min-width: 768px) 768px, 100vw" srcset="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/AP26016127832047.jpg?w=640&quality=80&webp=1 640w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/AP26016127832047.jpg?w=750&quality=80&webp=1 750w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/AP26016127832047.jpg?w=1000&quality=80&webp=1 1000w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/AP26016127832047.jpg?w=1200&quality=80&webp=1 1200w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/AP26016127832047.jpg?w=1360&quality=80&webp=1 1360w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/AP26016127832047.jpg?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1 1600w" bad-src="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/AP26016127832047.jpg?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1"/> What To Know Democrats level to the deadly shootings of two American civilians, Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, by the hands of federal brokers in Minneapolis as a catalyst for reform and separated DHS funding from a broader authorities bundle to power talks on ICE protocol.

Republicans have beforehand signaled opposition to a number of proposals—particularly expanded judicial warrant necessities and a masks ban—organising a coverage conflict that would have an effect on DHS sub-agencies together with the Transportation Safety Administration, Federal Emergency Administration Company, the Coast Guard and Secret Service.

Congress enacted a short-term extension that funded DHS for 2 weeks, pushing the deadline to February 13 and leaving immigration enforcement coverage on the middle of talks.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem introduced physique cameras for federal immigration brokers in Minneapolis, with broader rollout to comply with as funding allowed. Democrats mentioned the step needs to be nationwide and accompanied by different reforms.

Democrats’ Full Checklist of ICE/DHS Reform Calls for Jeffries and Schumer’s letter outlined 10 “guardrails” they mentioned Congress should enact.

The complete record, as revealed by Jeffries’ workplace, contains:

Focused Enforcement – DHS officers can't enter non-public property with out a judicial warrant; finish indiscriminate arrests; enhance warrant procedures and requirements; require verification that an individual will not be a U.S. citizen earlier than holding them in immigration detention. No Masks – Prohibit ICE and immigration enforcement brokers from sporting face coverings. Require ID – Require DHS officers conducting immigration enforcement to show their company, distinctive ID quantity and final identify; require them to verbalize their ID quantity and final identify if requested. Defend Delicate Areas – Prohibit funds for enforcement close to medical amenities, colleges, youngster care amenities, church buildings, polling locations, courts and different delicate areas. Cease Racial Profiling – Ban stops, questioning and searches based mostly on presence at sure areas, jobs, spoken language, accent, race or ethnicity. Uphold Use of Drive Requirements – Codify cheap use-of-force coverage, increase coaching and require officer certification; take away officers from the sphere pending investigations after incidents. Guarantee State and Native Coordination and Oversight – Protect state and native authority to analyze potential crimes and extreme power; require proof preservation and sharing; require consent of states and localities for large-scale operations exterior focused enforcement. Construct Safeguards into the System – Require speedy entry to attorneys in detention; enable states to sue DHS for violations; prohibit limits on member visits to ICE amenities no matter funding supply. Physique Cameras for Accountability, Not Monitoring – Mandate body-worn cameras and set up storage/entry guidelines; prohibit monitoring or databases of people engaged in First Modification actions. No Paramilitary Police – Regulate and standardize uniforms and tools to align with civil enforcement. What Individuals Are Saying Schumer on Wednesday, as reported by The Hill: “These are commonsense reforms. If Republicans refuse to assist them, they're selecting chaos over order, plain and easy.”

Jeffries, whereas describing Democrats’ priorities for ICE reform: “They need to be required to acquire judicial warrants earlier than they will rip on a regular basis Individuals out of their houses or out of their automobiles.”

Republican U.S. Senator John Hoeven of North Dakota on Wednesday, per CNBC: “The problem with the face masks factor is our regulation enforcement brokers have to be secure in addition to the general public. … With this doxing of brokers, that’s an actual safety difficulty.”

What Occurs Subsequent Congress has till the February 13 deadline to fund DHS, and negotiators have signaled that components like physique digicam growth and coaching may very well be areas of settlement, whereas warrant guidelines and masks insurance policies stay unresolved.

Democratic leaders mentioned DHS reforms should be a part of a full-year funding invoice whereas Republican leaders have mentioned they might oppose key adjustments to warrants and masking.