(Washington) US senators rushed Tuesday to finalize a proposal to end the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) blockade by funding a large part of it, including airport agents deprived of pay, but excluding ICE screening operations, which are at the heart of the debate.
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The sudden sense of urgency comes as U.S. airports are paralyzed by long lines at security checkpoints, with travelers urged to arrive several hours before their flights at Houston, Atlanta and Baltimore-Washington International Airport.
Normal funding for the Department of Homeland Security was suspended in mid-February. Nearly 11% of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents – more than 3,200 people – did not report for duty Monday, and at least 458 have resigned since the shutdown began, according to DHS.
Democrats are refusing to fund the department without restrictions on Donald Trump’s immigration and deportation agenda, after ICE agents fatally shot two citizens in Minneapolis.
A potential breakthrough came Monday evening, after a group of Republican senators spoke at the White House with President Donald Trump, on the heels of his decision to deploy federal immigration agents at some airport security checkpoints — a move that some lawmakers fear could exacerbate tensions.
“All I can say is that the discussions have been very positive and productive, and hopefully going in the right direction,” Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Monday evening.
The Democratic leader in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, spoke in an equally optimistic tone: “Both sides are working seriously. »
PHOTO TOM BRENNER, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer
The next steps in Congress could move quickly if lawmakers reach an agreement — or run out of steam just as quickly.
The deal under consideration would fund most of DHS, but not a critical part of ICE: the screening and deportation operations that are at the heart of Donald Trump’s deportation program.
Under the proposal, ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations would be funded, just like Customs and Border Protection, but with safeguards: Agents in those divisions would remain confined to their traditional roles, rather than being deployed to urban immigrant raids.
The plan also includes a number of changes demanded by Democrats, including requiring officers to wear body cameras and an ID badge. ICE agents stationed at airports already work without face coverings, another key Democratic demand as part of any deal.
Both houses of Congress are controlled by the Republican president’s party, and any deal reached in the Senate will also need to be approved by the House of Representatives.
Associated Press journalists Rio Yamat, Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Kevin Freking and Seung Min Kim contributed to this report.
