A public backlash against violent confrontations involving federal immigration agents has U.S. Democrats pushing for new controls on their activities, but with little buy-in so far from Republicans who control Congress.
That could make it difficult to win agreement before February 13, when funding for the Homeland Security Department expires.
At issue is whether U.S. immigration agents deployed in Trump’s immigration crackdown can wear masks, enter homes without displaying identification or judicial warrants, and conduct indiscriminate sweeps of suspects, rather than the targeted operations they conducted under previous presidents.
Democrats say the reforms are needed to rein in abuses by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, including killing two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis last month. A January Reuters/Ipsos poll found 58% of Americans thought ICE had gone too far.
Republicans have pointed to possible changes of their own, such as punishments for “sanctuary cities” that do not cooperate with deportation efforts.