The government has entered its third day of a partial shutdown due to disagreements over reforms concerning the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The Senate has agreed on a bill to fund the department for the next two weeks, while funding for the majority of the federal government has been secured until September.
The House of Representatives, which resumes today (February 2), has yet to approve this bill.
A vote is anticipated to occur on Tuesday, according to CNN.
In the meantime, Democrats are discussing further reforms following the death of ICU nurse Alex Pretti, who was shot during a protest in Minneapolis on January 24.
Earlier, Renee Nicole Good was killed by ICE agent Jonathan Ross while in her car, also in Minneapolis.
Their deaths have led to international protests as President Donald Trump continues to impose stricter immigration policies across the country.
According to NPR, Democrats are focused on implementing three primary reforms.
These reforms involve placing limitations on ICE arrest powers, such as requiring judicial warrants rather than administrative ones for entering homes, and ceasing ‘roving patrols’ and wide-ranging stop-and-search practices.
There is also a push for more rigorous accountability and investigations, facilitating legal actions against immigration officers and requiring independent investigations instead of internal DHS investigations.
Lastly, Democrats are advocating for mandatory body cameras for all ICE agents and the discontinuation of face coverings to ensure easier identification.
The previous government shutdown, the longest on record, began in October and continued for 43 days due to the expiration of health insurance subsidies affecting approximately 24 million Americans.
Five of the six Democrats who crossed party lines to resolve the previous deadlock have indicated they are prepared to risk another shutdown for the sake of DHS reforms, according to NPR.
“ICE is out of control, Donald Trump is out of control,” declared Democrat Senator Jacky Rosen of Nevada. “Our Constitution, not a suggestion, our Bill of Rights, not a suggestion.”
Senator Chris Murphy remarked: “I think if we’re fighting for these reforms, we’re exactly where the American people want us to be.”
In contrast, Republicans have expressed differing opinions. Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma stated: “The American people wanted the president to enforce law and order and ICE is doing their job.”
Republican Senator James Lankford, also from Oklahoma and a member of the homeland security committee, noted that the current DHS funding bill awaiting a vote includes additional provisions for body cameras and oversight.
“I don’t see one that’s needed above and beyond what’s already there,” he commented.