The NPR Politics Podcast

DHS Funding Set to Expire as Talks Over Immigration Enforcement Reforms Stall

Date: February 13, 2026
Hosts: Myles Parks (Voting), Barbara Sprunt (Congress), Ximena Bustillo (Immigration Policy)

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the imminent expiration of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding amid a congressional standoff over reforms to immigration enforcement—specifically targeting ICE and other DHS agencies—following two high-profile fatal shootings by immigration officers. The hosts discuss the policy and political dynamics shaping negotiations, debate over reforms, and the real-life impacts of a partial shutdown. The episode also provides analysis on congressional hearings with agency heads and delves into public trust and political pressures surrounding immigration enforcement today.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Why Only DHS Faces a Shutdown

[00:33-01:32]

• Congress previously passed appropriations for most of the government except DHS. Lawmakers separated DHS funding from the broader spending bill—using a short-term “stopgap” measure—after recent fatal ICE shootings spurred demands for reforms.
• Most government shutdowns risk all agencies. This time, it's just a “slice”—namely, DHS.

“This is just a slice. Um, it is the DHS slice of things. … They did a stopgap bill for DHS that ended up being just about under two weeks so that parties could work on negotiating changes to the department. Those negotiations are at a standstill. Of course, funding runs out tonight.” — Barbara Sprunt [01:03]

2. Democrats' Demands for DHS Funding

[01:40-03:13]

• Triggered by the shootings in Minneapolis (notably of Alex Preddy), Democrats refuse to fund DHS without policy changes:
  • Body Cameras: Bipartisan support for requiring immigration officers to wear body cameras—codified into law.
  • Ban on Face Coverings: Democrats want to prohibit masks during operations for transparency; Republicans argue this risks doxxing agents.
  • Locations Restrictions: Prohibit raids near childcare, churches, schools.
  • Warrant Standards: Democrats want to require arrest warrants signed by a judge, not an administrative DHS official.

“They have listed a series of proposals… The idea that officers should be wearing [body cameras]. Dems want that codified into law. But … [about] prohibiting face coverings, … [Republicans say] it makes it easier for people to dox federal agents… Democrats counter that… this would actually bring immigration enforcement officers in line with other police officers…” — Barbara Sprunt [01:58]

3. Status Inside DHS & Internal Agency Perspectives

[03:13-04:46]

• Agency heads, including ICE and Border Patrol, testified on the Hill, with broad agreement on body cameras but splits elsewhere.
• Agencies want additional funding for tech, trainers, and personnel to fully implement cameras.
• On warrants and operational locations, agency heads and White House staff have resisted limitations, seeking flexibility to enforce laws.
• ICE and Border Patrol reportedly have a substantial gap in body camera supply vs. need (e.g., 3,000 for 12,000 ICE agents).

“The Commissioner of Border Patrol literally pleaded to Congress … fund this program, make sure we don’t just have the body cameras, but also the personnel, … the IT people, the trainers, so that the program can be fully implemented. So that is… a trifecta of all support.” — Ximena Bustillo [03:45]

4. Impact of a DHS Shutdown

[04:46-06:52]

• Immigration Enforcement: Will NOT actually stop. Law enforcement arms (ICE/Border Patrol) keep operating—drawing on a “slush fund” from prior appropriations.
• Broader DHS: Of ~250,000 employees, about 22,000 would be furloughed. The rest—including FEMA, the Coast Guard, TSA—work unpaid or with uncertain pay.
• Oversight Risks: Non-enforcement/oversight offices (like Immigration Detention Oversight) may halt, risking lapses in transparency, e.g., during last shutdown, deaths in custody went uninvestigated.

“Those who are out there, those who are deportation officers, those who are making arrests, patrolling the border… they will continue working, and it’s likely that they will continue to be paid.” — Ximena Bustillo [05:21]

5. Political Calculations & Strategy

[06:52-08:35]

• Unlike past shutdowns (which triggered widespread disruptions), this is narrower; less leverage for Democrats to force reforms, but it does “starve” DHS budget for the year.
• Analogy: DHS’s funding is like a paycheck (appropriations) and savings account (carryover funds); now, they're forced to dip into savings.

“The strategy for this shutdown is not the same political strategy for other shutdowns… we're not seeing this broad national panic… what the shutdown does is it means DHS does have less money… they're going to have less money in total.” — Ximena Bustillo [07:09]

6. Will Democrats Get the Immigration Reforms?

[08:11-10:53]

• This shutdown is grounded in immediate public outrage over ICE shootings (esp. Alex Preddy)—easier for Democrats to mobilize pressure compared to fights over e.g., insurance subsidies.
• Both Democrats and (to a lesser extent) Republicans are feeling public heat for oversight and reforms.
• NPR/partner polling shows most Americans believe ICE has overreached.
• Even some Republican voters express discomfort with immigration enforcement tactics in their states.

“This… is in the now where people are looking at something playing out on their phone as a video… saying, I want answers now, I want change now… we’ve done polling… that show[s] a majority of Americans say that ICE has gone too far in the way it's enforcing its priorities.” — Barbara Sprunt [08:48]

7. Congressional Hearings: ICE, Border Patrol & Use-of-Force

[12:22-16:13]

• Recent Hill hearings centered on the deaths of Renee Macklin Goode and Alex Preddy.
• Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Gary Peters (D-MI) jointly scrutinized body cam video to question DHS leaders about use-of-force, de-escalation, and training.
• Agency heads largely declined to comment substantively—though were pushed to answer if actions like pepper spraying within inches of a face were acceptable (answer: “no”).
• Chairman Paul (R) made proceedings unusually accessible, focusing on fact-finding vs. grandstanding.

“This really stood out… it felt like the folks who were leading the hearing were very measured… they were trying to make it accessible for anyone tuning in. And… actually were trying to do... fact finding.” — Barbara Sprunt [15:23]

• Notably, ICE training for new officers has been cut from 72 days to 42; concerns raised that agents with little training are now on the streets—although shooters in these incidents had years of experience.

8. Kristi Noem's Handling of the Alex Preddy Shooting

[17:39-19:47]

• DHS Sec. Kristi Noem swiftly labeled Preddy a “domestic terrorist”—claims later contradicted by the official report.
• Both ICE and CBP heads denied providing Noem with info to support terrorism allegations.
• Acting ICE Dir. Todd Lyons agreed public comments (including by Noem, Steven Miller, even Trump) “can bias an investigation.”

“They said no at every turn when they were asked about this, they really distanced themselves from those comments, saying they can't speak for her, that that's her prerogative… comments made publicly… can bias an investigation.” — Ximena Bustillo [18:27]

9. Public Trust and Policy Shifts

[19:47-20:21]

• There’s bipartisan acknowledgment of “broken trust” between DHS/ICE and the public.
• Trump administration announced it will end “immigration enforcement crackdown” in Minnesota—a move prompted by protests after Preddy’s death.

“Chairman Paul said he felt that there was work to do on behalf of these agencies to repair the broken trust with the public.” — Barbara Sprunt [19:49]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I see nothing here. I mean, not even a hint of something that was aggressive on his part. Everything was retreated… He tries to assist the woman to get up. He’s violently sprayed.” — Sen. Rand Paul, as related by Ximena Bustillo [13:44]
• “This is a very different momentum… something that is in the now where people are looking at something playing out on their phone…” — Barbara Sprunt [08:48]
• “I do say that with the caveat that the officers… at the center of the shootings… had been with the agency for several years. So there is a limit to which the training question is relevant…” — Ximena Bustillo [16:50]
• “At every turn… they really distanced themselves from those comments [by Sec. Noem]…” — Ximena Bustillo [18:19]
• “As someone that's a little bit into the weeds on the policy, I want to hear about it. …The focus is on ICE. But ICE is not the only agency here. And not hearing conversation from either party on that… I can't let it go.” — Ximena Bustillo [24:18]

Segment Timestamps

• DHS funding context and shutdown specifics: [00:33–01:32]
• Democratic reform demands: [01:40–03:13]
• Agency perspectives and Congressional testimony: [03:13–04:46]
• Practical impact of a shutdown: [04:46–06:52]
• Political strategy: [06:52–08:35]
• Public opinion and momentum: [08:35–10:53]
• Key hearings on ICE shootings: [12:22–16:13]
• ICE training developments: [16:13–17:19]
• Kristi Noem’s “domestic terrorism” comments: [17:39–19:47]
• Trust and public accountability: [19:47–20:21]
• Can’t Let It Go (lighter segment): [22:02–29:08]

Tone & Language

• The tone is urgent but measured, foregrounding both policy analysis and the very human consequences of immigration enforcement and government shutdowns.
• The hosts frequently refer to data, polling, and first-hand reporting, while sprinkling in lighter banter in the last segment (“Can’t Let It Go”).

Summary for Non-Listeners

This intense, policy-focused episode breaks down why and how DHS funding is being held up by Democrats insisting on reforms in the wake of controversial ICE shootings. The hosts walk through both the granular policy asks (like body cameras, restricting warrant types, and more) and the practical/strategic limitations of a partial DHS shutdown. They describe the highly scrutinized congressional hearings and public outcry, emphasizing how real-time viral incidents are changing both the policy debate and the bipartisan urgency—especially as even Republican voters show discomfort with ICE’s recent tactics. Livelier moments in the “Can’t Let It Go” segment give a human touch, reminding listeners of the stakes for both the agencies and the podcast team themselves.