URGENT UPDATE: Tensions rise among Democrats as calls to defund ICE escalate following the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an immigration officer in Minneapolis earlier this week. With a crucial deadline for government funding looming on January 30, 2026, progressive lawmakers are demanding immediate action to limit the agency’s power amidst widespread public outrage.
Just hours after the tragic incident, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries have faced mounting pressure from within their party to leverage the appropriations process to rein in ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Advocates argue that this is the “appropriate time” to take a stand against an agency accused of escalating violence across the nation.
“I just don’t understand how we provide votes for a bill that funds the extent of the depravity,” Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) stated on CNN. His remarks echo a growing sentiment among progressive lawmakers who are urging their leaders to prioritize accountability over funding.
Despite the rising discontent, Schumer and Jeffries have shown reluctance to commit to defunding ICE, with Schumer only acknowledging his “lots of problems with ICE.” This comes as the agency’s budget is projected to reach a staggering $170 billion as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed last year.
With public disapproval of ICE at an all-time high, voices from within the party are demanding action. Representative Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) criticized the lack of decisive measures: “Statements and letters are not enough… the appropriations process is our opportunity,” she told Axios.
Progressive lawmakers including Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) are vocalizing their support for cuts to ICE funding, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. “We can’t just keep authorizing money for these illegal killers,” Jayapal declared, while Ocasio-Cortez asserted that the agency has transformed into a paramilitary force with zero accountability.
As Congress approaches the funding deadline, the pressure is mounting. Critics within the party are calling for leadership changes, with some suggesting it’s time for Schumer to step down if he continues to oppose action against ICE’s budget. “Change the news cycle and show that you’ll be an opposition party,” said Emma Vigeland on a recent podcast.
The implications of these decisions could resonate deeply across the nation. With ICE agents having shot 11 civilians in just four months, the urgency for reform has never been more critical. As lawmakers prepare to debate the spending packages, the eyes of the public remain focused on whether Democrats will take a stand against ICE’s unchecked power.
This developing situation highlights a critical juncture for the Democratic Party as they navigate internal divisions and external pressures in a time of increasing violence and public discontent. The next steps in this appropriations battle will determine not just funding, but the moral direction of the party moving forward.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.
