A partial government shutdown could begin as soon as Saturday (January 31) as negotiations over federal funding break down in Washington, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the center of the standoff following deadly immigration operations in Minneapolis.

Lawmakers must pass a funding package by Friday (January 30) to keep several major federal departments open, including Defense, Homeland Security, and Health and Human Services. If they fail to reach a deal, large parts of the federal government would shut down, disrupting operations across the country.

The dispute intensified after Senate Democrats said they would block any funding bill that includes new money for the Department of Homeland Security without meaningful changes to how ICE and Customs and Border Protection operate. Their stance follows growing public anger over the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good, two U.S. citizens killed during encounters with federal immigration officers in Minneapolis.

At issue is a House-passed package that would send an additional $10 billion to ICE, on top of the $76 billion already allocated over four years under the Trump-backed One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Democrats argue approving more money without stronger oversight sends the wrong message at a moment when communities are demanding accountability.

Republicans have pushed back, saying the Homeland Security funding includes provisions aimed at addressing concerns about officer conduct, including body cameras, de-escalation training, and internal oversight. They have resisted calls to strip the funding from the package, even as pressure mounts to calm tensions in Minneapolis.

A shutdown wouldn’t just be a political standoff in Washington — it would show up in people’s daily lives. Delays to federal agencies affect everything from public health to housing oversight, and historically, disruptions like these are felt most sharply in communities already navigating inequity and over-policing.

Democrats say they are ready to move quickly on funding bills that exclude Homeland Security, warning Republicans will be responsible if the government shuts down.

The Senate is expected to take its first procedural vote Thursday (January 29), just one day before the deadline.

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