In the wake of two recent deadly shootings in Minneapolis involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agents, Democratic senators John Fetterman and Adam Schiff are taking sharply divergent positions on federal funding for immigration enforcement agencies, highlighting growing tensions within the party over law enforcement and government spending.
Senator John Fetterman emphasized that he will not vote to shut down the government, particularly over disagreements regarding DHS funding. “I will never vote to shut our government down, especially our Defense Department,” Fetterman said, referencing the $178 billion allocated to the Department of Homeland Security in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which he did not vote for. While rejecting calls to defund or abolish ICE, Fetterman criticized some of the strategies and practices employed by the agency in Minneapolis, arguing they must change. “I want a conversation on the DHS appropriations bill and support stripping it from the minibus,” he added, acknowledging the difficulty of passing such a change and warning that failing to find compromise could risk another shutdown.
— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) January 26, 2026
Fetterman stressed the need for measured reforms, advocating for “reason and common sense” in addressing the chaos in Minneapolis. His position reflects a nuanced approach: supporting federal immigration enforcement overall while calling for operational improvements to prevent further tragedies.
By contrast, Senator Adam Schiff has taken a much more hardline stance, vowing to oppose any additional funding for ICE and the Border Patrol following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti. Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, Schiff criticized federal officials who defended the agents’ actions and called for state and local governments to have autonomy in setting law enforcement priorities. “If they made the decision we will prioritize going after violent criminals, it is not up to the federal government to say no, you won’t,” Schiff said.
Schiff: I'm not giving ICE or border patrol another dime… Anyone who votes to give them more money to do this will share in the responsibility and see more Americans die in our cities as a result. pic.twitter.com/MTVyQi07Lb
— Acyn (@Acyn) January 25, 2026
Schiff also questioned DHS’s ability to investigate its own operations objectively. “No one can have confidence that DHS will do that properly when the head of that agency has called these victims domestic terrorists without knowing anything,” he said. He argued that local law enforcement must be involved in investigations and called for an independent, objective review.
Taking his opposition further, Schiff stated he would vote against DHS funding that includes money for ICE and Border Patrol, even if it results in a partial government shutdown. “Well, I’m not giving ICE or Border Patrol another dime given how these agencies are operating,” he said. Schiff added that lawmakers who support additional funding would bear responsibility for potential violence in American cities.
The contrasting positions of Fetterman and Schiff illustrate a key divide among Democrats in Congress: balancing support for immigration enforcement and border security with concerns about accountability, operational conduct, and public safety. While Fetterman seeks reform without halting funding, Schiff is pressing for more dramatic measures, raising the stakes in ongoing negotiations over DHS appropriations and federal government funding.
