Another shutdown looms amid ICE standoff in Congress

Outrage over recent actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in Minnesota – including the killing of two American citizens and the taking of a 5-year-old boy – threatens to lead to another partial government shutdown this weekend. To avert the shutdown, an appropriations bill in Congress must be approved and signed by President Trump by Friday. The bill includes more funding for the Department of Homeland Security and ICE operations, which has become especially contentious as social programs have been drastically cut. Democrats in Congress are demanding significant reforms to ICE practices before approving funding for DHS and ICE. They include:

Requiring a warrant signed by a judge to enter homes.
Requiring ICE agents to wear body cameras.
Barring agents from wearing masks.
Following the use-of-force protocols of local police.

To increase pressure on Democrats, massive No Kings protests are planned nationwide this weekend, with the most significant event likely to take place in Minneapolis. Previous No Kings protests have drawn millions, but organizers expect this to be he largest nationwide protest in American history, despite the frigid temperatures across much of the country.

Republicans and Democratic Senators seek offramp to avoid shutdown, but Republicans wait for Trump’s approval.

Congressman’s visit reveals appalling conditions at Texas facility where 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father are being held.

No change seen in intensity of ICE operations in Minnesota despite Trump’s expressed interest in easing tensions.