Republicans Vow to Uphold Immigration Enforcement Amid Funding Standoff
Rep. Pete Sessions forcefully rejected Democrat demands to scale back immigration enforcement operations, stating that Republicans “should not give in” as a funding standoff over the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues.
The Texas Republican told reporters that proposals aimed at limiting enforcement activities by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), such as agents being prohibited from wearing masks, amount to undermining federal agents tasked with enforcing laws passed by Congress.
“There are going to be people out there who vigorously get in the way of law enforcement,” Sessions said. “They have their masks on. These federal agents doing the job we’ve asked them to do— and that 80% of Americans want them to do—need to be done safely.”
The dispute comes as the government remains partially shut down due to lawmakers being deadlocked over DHS funding, with Democrats pushing for policy changes tied to immigration enforcement in any long-term spending agreement.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has described Democrat proposals as “common sense,” including measures intended to curb what critics call overreach by immigration authorities.
Sessions pushed back, framing the debate as one focused on protecting law enforcement rather than restricting it. He stated Republicans would continue supporting ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel during ongoing immigration enforcement efforts.
“The bottom line is Republicans are common sense,” Sessions said. “We will not give in. We will protect the men and women of law enforcement.”
With neither side showing a willingness to compromise, the impasse over DHS funding and immigration enforcement appears set to continue, leaving the broader policy fight over ICE’s authority unresolved.
