General Discussion

A record-long Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown ended Thursday but still does not fund U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The 76-day political squabble between Republicans and Democrats concluded Thursday when President Donald Trump signed a bill restoring funding to the Coast Guard, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, FEMA, Secret Service and TSA. Republicans are pushing billions in ICE and CBP funding through a reconciliation package to further the Trump administration’s agenda. The bill appropriates $48 billion to the aforementioned DHS agencies.

The months-long funding lapse dates back to Feb. 14 when political sentiments clashed on immigration enforcement in the wake of the deaths of Renee Good and Matthew Pretti in Minneapolis. It resulted in national protests and eventually DHS Secretary Kristi Noem being relieved of her duties, being replaced in March by Markwayne Mullin, a former U.S. senator.