WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Friday night, after a days-long impasse over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Trump Administration failed to govern, resulting in a partial government shutdown. This marks the third partial US government shutdown in the past six months, with many federal employees expected to miss pay if the impasse continues. 

Said Nicole Melaku, NPNA executive director, “Last year, the Department of Homeland Security received a historic windfall of more than $170 billion as part of the President’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill,’ which passed through Reconciliation on a single party line vote. With that investment, DHS and ICE have terrorized our communities, repeatedly violated the Constitution, deprived people on US soil of due process, and built a vast network of inhumane detention camps.”

“Following the brave lead of the people in Minnesota and beyond, Democrats issued a series of demands for greater accountability and oversight for this lawless administration. Now, as pressure builds to hold ICE accountable for its abuse of power, it is critical for Democrats to hold the line and refuse to back down. We must not continue to fund country-wide campaigns of terror; our tax dollars should be used instead to ensure every family can live a prosperous future in a country that supports inclusion and economic opportunity.”

According to new polling by Fwd.us, DHS retains approximately 90 percent of the $191 billion provided to the agency in the 2025 reconciliation legislation. The $191 billion included $75 billion for ICE, $64.75 billion for CBP, $22 billion for DHS to use as it sees fit, and some additional funding. Research shows that when people hear that ICE has already received $75 billion, only 34 percent of those polled want any more money sent to the agency.

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The National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) is a multi-ethnic, multiracial coalition of 88 of the nation’s largest immigrant and refugee rights organizations with reach across over 42 states. Together with our members, we advance immigrant and refugee equity and inclusion, build and expand immigration legal services and integration programming capacity, and drive campaigns that strengthen democracy through increased civic participation. See our website for more information at partnershipfornewamericans.org.