2/16/2026 | USA | world | ✓ Verified - pbs.org

Democrats pushing to 'get ICE under control' with DHS shutdown, Jeffries says

#Hakeem Jeffries #ICE #DHS #government shutdown #partial shutdown #employees unpaid #Amna Nawaz #House Democrats

📌 Key Takeaways

Jeffries is the leading Democratic voice in the House.
He is demanding tighter control over ICE during the shutdown.
The partial government shutdown is causing DHS employees to be unpaid.
Jeffries discussed the issue with Amna Nawaz while Congress was out.
The situation stems from stalled funding negotiations for DHS operations.

📖 Full Retelling

Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, the House’s top Democrat, is calling on Congress to take control of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a partial government shutdown that has left many Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees working without pay. The push comes as Congress is out this week and Jeffries joined journalist Amna Nawaz to discuss the urgency of addressing immigration enforcement amid stalled funding.

🏷️ Themes

Government shutdown, Immigration enforcement, DHS operations, Political leadership, Budget disputes

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Deep Analysis

Why It Matters

This shutdown affects Department of Homeland Security operations and employees, highlighting political tensions over immigration enforcement. It demonstrates how budget disputes can directly impact national security agencies and their workforce.

Context & Background

Partial government shutdown is currently underway
Congress is out of session this week
DHS employees are working without pay
Hakeem Jeffries is the top House Democrat

What Happens Next

Congress will need to reconvene and pass funding bills to end the shutdown. DHS operations may face disruptions if the shutdown persists for an extended period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which agencies are affected by the shutdown?

Agencies under the Department of Homeland Security are affected.

Are DHS employees still working during the shutdown?

Many DHS employees are working without pay during the shutdown.

What is Hakeem Jeffries role in this situation?

Hakeem Jeffries is the top Democrat in the House of Representatives.

Original Source

              A partial government shutdown is underway, and with Congress out this week, many employees of agencies under the Department of Homeland Security will continue working without pay for the foreseeable future. Congressman Hakeem Jeffries of New York is the top Democrat in the House and joined Amna Nawaz to discuss more.
            

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Source

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