House Republicans Blast Democratic ICE 'Unmasking' Demand as DHS Funding Deadline Nears

House Republicans are publicly questioning whether Democrats are negotiating in good faith as Congress races toward a Feb. 13 deadline to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Lawmakers must produce a bipartisan agreement to keep DHS operating for the rest of the fiscal year; without it, a partial or full shutdown becomes increasingly likely.

What's At Stake

A DHS funding measure will require some Democratic votes in the Senate, where most legislation needs 60 votes to advance. In the House, Republicans can pass funding with a simple majority, but several GOP members say they cannot accept key Democratic demands proposed in exchange for their support.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and an ICE agent, right.(Getty Images)

Key Democratic Requests

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) unveiled an initial list of four reforms they want included in any DHS deal: a ban on ICE agents wearing masks, mandatory body-worn cameras for federal officers, a requirement for judicial warrants for certain arrests, and a prohibition on deporting or detaining U.S. citizens. Since that announcement, Democratic leaders released six additional demands aimed at broader immigration enforcement reforms.

Republican Response

Many House Republicans called parts of the Democratic package unacceptable. Republican Study Committee Chair August Pfluger (R-Tex.) described some requests as "ridiculous" and suggested Democrats are aiming to dismantle Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Other GOP members expressed concern about negotiating trust after what they described as years of bad-faith tactics.

Republican Study Committee Chairman August Pfluger speaks during a press conference in Washington, D.C., Oct. 28, 2025.

"I'm surprised that they didn't just say the quiet part out loud, that they want to abolish [ICE] altogether..." — Rep. August Pfluger (R-Tex.)

Rep. Riley Moore (R-W.Va.) called several Democratic tactics "political messaging," and Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) referred to some negotiators as "legislative terrorists." Republicans also point out that mandatory body cameras were included in an earlier DHS funding compromise they say Democrats walked away from.

Areas of Agreement and Continued Friction

Some proposals, like mandatory body-worn cameras for federal officers, have bipartisan support and could be a starting point for compromise. Other items — notably a ban on masks for ICE agents and requirements for judicial warrants in immigration arrests — have drawn strong GOP criticism as impractical or unnecessary.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks at a press conference following the passage of government funding bills, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., Jan. 30, 2026.

Republicans representing border states, including Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-Tex.), defended operational secrecy for officers, saying anonymity can be necessary to protect agents from doxxing and retaliation. Democrats, meanwhile, say reform is needed after high-profile incidents — including deadly confrontations involving federal agents — and argue taxpayer dollars should not enable unlawful conduct.

Outlook

With only days before the funding deadline, lawmakers on both sides face a narrowing window to negotiate. Success likely depends on whether negotiators can translate high-level demands into specific, actionable provisions both parties can accept — or whether partisan distrust will push the federal government toward a shutdown.

Timeline: Congress must agree on DHS funding by Feb. 13 to avoid lapse of appropriations affecting agencies such as FEMA, TSA and immigration enforcement operations.