US Republicans weigh deal to reopen most of DHS but not ICE deportations

The Guardian US News
by Chris Stein in Washington
March 24, 2026
3 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

Republican senators are negotiating a DHS funding deal that would exclude ICE deportation operations from restored funding.

How This Affects You

If enacted, this deal would reduce ICE deportation capacity, potentially affecting immigration enforcement activities in your area and workplace immigration compliance.

AI Summary

Republican senators are negotiating a bipartisan deal to restore funding to most of the Department of Homeland Security while initially excluding money for Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests and deportations. The DHS shutdown has already created disruptions including longer airport security lines and halted pay for some federal workers. The proposed compromise would keep the immigration enforcement agency shuttered even as other homeland security functions resume operations. The deal reflects tension between Republicans who want to preserve ICE operations and Democrats seeking to limit deportation activities during negotiations. If enacted, the measure would represent a significant carve-out in Trump administration immigration enforcement at a time when ICE operations have been a priority.

What's Being Done

Republican senators are negotiating a bipartisan compromise to restore DHS funding while initially excluding money for ICE arrests and deportations.

Should this be getting more attention?

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