Story perspectives

Lawmakers Clash Over Immigration Funding Amid Shutdown

2/24/2026

Center

Lawmakers Debate Immigration

Lawmakers are debating immigration funding amid a partial government shutdown.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has resources through 2029 due to prior funding.
Democrats and some Republicans push for restrictions on ICE operations and would restrict arrests in sensitive areas.
In South Carolina, a proposed bill would require local law enforcement to cooperate with ICE.

Right

Dexter Calls Immigration "Terrorism"

Rep. Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.) labeled U.S. immigration enforcement "terrorism" and urged dismantling ICE if Democrats regain power.
The stance mirrors a broader Democratic push for immigration reforms amid public unrest.
In New Jersey, lawmakers unveiled the F---ICE Act to authorize civil actions against unconstitutional enforcement.
Critics, including Republicans, condemn the bill as radical and potentially illegal.
Sherrill previously signed an executive order limiting ICE activities on state property.

History

Historical Context

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on October 3, abolished the National Origins Formula that had restricted immigration since the 1920s. This landmark legislation increased immigration from Asia and Latin America, with over 1 million immigrants arriving annually by the 1970s, reshaping the U.S. demographic landscape and fueling ongoing debates about immigration policy and civil rights.

1 of 3

Lawmakers Debate Immigration

Lawmakers are debating immigration funding amid a partial government shutdown.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has resources through 2029 due to prior funding.
Democrats and some Republicans push for restrictions on ICE operations and would restrict arrests in sensitive areas.
In South Carolina, a proposed bill would require local law enforcement to cooperate with ICE.

1 / 3