U.S. Congress impasse over migrant crackdown set to trigger partial shutdown

A prolonged impasse between U.S. congressional Republicans and Democrats over immigration enforcement threatens to ensnare the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in a partial government shutdown beginning Saturday, following two fatal shootings in Minneapolis.

"For weeks, we've been pushing commonsense reforms," Senator Chuck Schumer, the top Democrat in the Republican-controlled chamber, said ahead of a partial shutdown that would go into effect after midnight on Friday night.

His party opposes any new funding for DHS until major changes are implemented in the way Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – the powerful agency working to carry out President Donald Trump's migrant crackdown – conducts its operations.

In particular, they demand curtailed roaming patrols, a ban on ICE agents wearing face masks during operations, and the use of a judicial warrant to enter private property.

Democrats' opposition to ICE and its heavy-handed tactics swelled after the January deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, two U.S. citizens shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis as they protested anti-immigration operations.

The lawmakers are seeking greater accountability for ICE agents, including upholding reasonable use-of-force standards already on the books.

"Democrats will not support a blank check for chaos," Schumer said.

The shutdown would be the third of Trump's second term, including a record 43-day government closure last October and November.