January 1, Democrats Stall DHS Funding, Shutdown Nears

Wyatt’s Take

• Democrats’ push for more warrant rules could tie ICE’s hands right before a government shutdown.
• Republicans say these changes would cripple efforts to enforce border security.
• Both sides are playing hardball while a partial shutdown looms.

Lawmakers are scrambling to avoid a government shutdown by Friday. Democrats are holding up funding for the Department of Homeland Security, demanding tougher warrant rules on ICE arrests.

Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said,

“Federal law is quite clear that law enforcement has the authority to arrest illegal immigrants.”

He added,

“Amazingly, when Barack Obama deported illegal immigrants, no one in the media was horrified before. And, yet, everyone now is clutching their pearls when gangbangers and violent criminals are taken out.”

After violent protests in Minnesota tied to ICE actions, Democrats want new legal hurdles. Senator Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., called for updated warrant rules, arguing they’re needed to protect people’s rights inside their homes.

Attorney Scott Andrew Fulks explained ICE needs a judge’s warrant to enter homes, but can use a lower standard in public.

“A judicial warrant would have to be signed, of course, by a judge and would allow them to forcibly enter a home if someone did not open up the door for them,” Fulks said.

He said administrative warrants let ICE detain people in public if they have an order of removal.

Some Democrats claim ICE is stretching the rules. Blumenthal pointed to a leaked memo, saying,

“We received from two whistleblowers a secret memo showing that the acting director of ICE is authorizing ICE agents to break into people’s homes, kick down the doors, storm into living rooms and bedrooms, arrest and detain people without a judicial warrant.”

Fulks warned that stricter rules would slow ICE and shrink the number of detentions for lawbreakers.

Republicans in the Senate argue that the law should stay as is. Senator Rick Scott said,

“I think they should follow the existing law. I think the Democrats want a shutdown.”

Both parties are dug in. With the clock ticking, Middle America braces for fallout as Washington fights over border security and government paychecks.

Full report

Wyatt Matters

This standoff shows just how out of touch D.C. elites can be with everyday Americans who want safe neighborhoods and fair laws. Our families expect those in charge to defend our borders and keep the lights on at home.