WASHINGTON, february 3, 2026 – A partial U.S. government shutdown entered its fourth day on Tuesday, as President Donald Trump publicly urged the House of Representatives to approve a funding package he brokered with the Senate, but faced resistance from both parties over immigration enforcement policies.
Shutdown Standoff Deepens as Democrats Demand Immigration Restraints
Lawmakers remain at odds over funding, with a fatal shooting by immigration agents adding fuel to the debate.
- The shutdown began Saturday after funding lapsed for agencies including the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defence.
- Democrats are refusing to support the funding package without concessions on immigration enforcement.
- President Trump insists there can be “NO CHANGES” to the deal he reached with Senate Democrats.
- Voting is expected to begin Tuesday, but a quick resolution appears unlikely.
The impasse centers on the Trump administration’s deportation operations, intensified following the fatal shooting of a second U.S. citizen by immigration agents in Minneapolis.Democrats are leveraging their position to demand restraints on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),while House Speaker Mike Johnson struggles to unite his slim Republican majority.
“We need to get the government open, and I hope all Republicans and Democrats will join me in supporting this Bill, and send it to my desk WITHOUT DELAY,” Trump wrote on social media Monday. “There can be NO CHANGES at this time,” he insisted. “We will work together in good faith to address the issues that have been raised, but we cannot have another long, pointless, and destructive Shutdown.”
The current stalemate highlights the challenges facing Johnson as he relies on Trump’s influence to secure passage of the deal. Last week,the president reached an agreement with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer to temporarily fund Homeland Security through February 13,allowing time for further debate on immigration enforcement changes. The Senate had overwhelmingly approved the broader funding package before the shutdown began.
Democrat Leverage and Specific Demands
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries signaled Monday that his party sees no reason to assist Johnson in advancing the bill through procedural steps typically handled by the majority party. “On rare occasions have we stepped in to deal with Republican dysfunction,” Jeffries stated at the Capitol,capitalizing on the unrest within Johnson’s own ranks.
Beyond the already included $20 million (€17 million) for ICE body cameras, Democrats are pushing for more meaningful restrictions. Homeland security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Monday that ICE officers in Minneapolis would immediately receive body-worn cameras,with plans for nationwide expansion as funding allows. Though, Democrats also want federal immigration agents to visibly unmask during operations-a practice uncommon among U.S. law enforcement-and to secure judicial warrants, rather than relying on administrative ones, as well as an end to roving patrols.
While most democrats are aligned with jeffries’ strategy, some are advocating for a quicker resolution to the funding package to avoid prolonged government disruptions. The shutdown has already resulted in some workers being furloughed or going without pay, though many essential operations continue uninterrupted.
What are the key sticking points in the shutdown? Democrats are demanding greater oversight and restrictions on ICE operations, including body cameras, visible identification, and stricter warrant requirements, in response to recent incidents involving the use of force by immigration agents.
Voting is scheduled to begin tuesday, marking the fourth day of the partial government shutdown.the situation remains fluid, with the outcome dependent on whether a compromise can be reached between the White House, House Republicans, and House Democrats.
