GOP leaders splitting up and launching into an internal battle over ICE

Republican lawmakers are absolutely duking it out over what kind of reforms they should make to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agencies. This internal battle has been triggered by a partial government shutdown, which started Saturday following the tragic deaths of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, in Minneapolis.

This package that has been passed will fund most of the government through September. However, here’s the kicker: the bill only provides a two-week stopgap measure for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS is the agency at the heart of this entire funding dispute, and the initial Funding package only passed because the White House temporarily removed it from the package. 

The only way DHS gets funded in time is if lawmakers agree on immigration enforcement reforms. The Hill reported that the House is expected to vote Tuesday on the funding legislation the Senate approved late last week. Speaker Mike Johnson expressed confidence Sunday that the bill will pass, but he’s facing a real challenge rallying his party, given how razor-thin the GOP majority is right now.

It doesn’t help that many of the GOP agree, to a certain extent, with Democratic demands

The strong public reaction to the deaths of Good and Pretti has triggered strong reactions. It has emboldened Democrats to take a firm stand on the Homeland Security budget, but it also created the initial schism within the GOP. Now, some Republicans are actually open to adopting reforms like funding de-escalation training for ICE officers.

Senator Lisa Murkowski and Senator Thom Tillis have risen as Moderate voices on the issue. Murkowski noted there’s strong bipartisan support for funding body cameras for ICE officers. Tillis agreed, stating that more transparency and reporting are needed, saying, “We’re going to gain the support of the American people if they know we’re really going after the bad guys and executing properly.”

Speaker Johnson himself even suggested a willingness to negotiate, saying some requests “are obviously reasonable and should happen.” Not everyone in the GOP is feeling so flexible, though, with conservatives accusing their colleagues of being “cowed” by Democrats. They want to accuse Democrats of undermining law enforcement instead of conceding to reforms.

Senator Ted Cruz called the Democratic proposals “completely nonstarters,” arguing that the Democratic base has decided to “declare war on ICE and war on law enforcement.” Senator John Kennedy mirrored that sentiment, saying, “I don’t think two weeks is enough. I think DHS is going to be shut down for a while.”

The sticking points for Democrats include ending roving ICE patrols, requiring search warrants before officers enter a migrant’s home, establishing a code of conduct for use of force, and prohibiting federal officers from wearing masks. However, the shutdown won’t stop ICE Operations, which are already funded by the One Big Beautiful Bill.