Senate Democrats Threaten Shutdown Over Minneapolis ICE Shootings

Senate Democrats are escalating tensions in Washington by threatening to halt a critical spending package, raising the specter of a partial government shutdown by January 30. The standoff stems from outrage over recent fatal shootings involving federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, where protests against aggressive immigration enforcement have turned deadly.

The latest incident involved a Border Patrol agent fatally shooting 37-year-old Alex Pretti, an intensive care unit nurse, during an operation amid ongoing demonstrations. This follows the earlier killing of Renee Good by an ICE officer, intensifying accusations of excessive force and lack of accountability within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its agencies like ICE and Border Patrol.

Chuck Schumer announced that Democrats would withhold the necessary votes to advance the bill unless funding for DHS is removed or significant reforms are added to curb alleged abuses. The package funds multiple departments, including Defense, Labor, Education, and others, meaning opposition could disrupt operations across the government and delay key reports like labor statistics.

Also Read: 5-Year-Old Boy Detained by ICE in Minnesota Immigration Operation

Moderate Democrats, including senators from Nevada and others who previously supported funding deals, have joined the pushback, demanding guardrails such as body cameras and transparency measures. Republicans face pressure to maintain DHS funding amid the Trump administration’s immigration priorities, while the White House has labeled some protesters as threats.

A shutdown would force many essential workers, including military personnel and TSA agents, to work without immediate pay, though ICE and Border Patrol might continue operations via separate funding streams. With the House having already passed the bill and lawmakers facing weather delays, negotiations remain fraught as the deadline approaches.

Also Read: US Immigration Detention Sees Four Deaths in Early 2026