Murphy plans DHS reform push tied to funding bill
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), the top Democrat on the Senate appropriations panel that oversees DHS, is preparing sweeping legislation to restrict ICE and Border Patrol tactics — including warrant requirements for arrests, bans on masks in operations, tighter limits on firearms use in civil cases, and ID requirements for agents — and is working to make those constraints a condition for Democratic support of a DHS funding bill before money runs out Jan. 30. He is consulting Democrats from Minnesota, California and Illinois, where DHS has surged agents, but faces resistance from party leaders who have already ruled out another shutdown while Republicans are unlikely to accept such curbs.
📌 Key Facts
- Murphy’s proposal would require warrants for most DHS arrests, ban agent masking during enforcement operations, limit ICE’s use of firearms in civil cases, require visible identification, and keep Border Patrol stationed at the border.
- He is trying to build a Democratic coalition to insist on these constraints in exchange for their votes on the DHS appropriations bill, with department funding set to lapse on Jan. 30, 2026.
- The initiative follows the ICE killing of a woman in Minneapolis and polling showing a majority of Americans think President Trump is doing 'too much' on deportations, though GOP backing is unlikely and leaders like Sen. Chuck Schumer have already taken a shutdown off the table.
📊 Relevant Data
The 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act (Hart-Celler Act) abolished the national origins quota system, leading to increased immigration from Latin America and Asia, which significantly altered the demographic composition of the U.S. immigrant population.
The Hart-Celler Immigration Act of 1965 — Center for Immigration Studies
In Minnesota, immigration was the primary driver of population growth from 2020 to 2024, with over 81,000 new immigrants contributing to this change, and the state has sizable Somali, Hmong, and Latino immigrant communities.
Immigration became the leading component of population growth in Minnesota this decade — Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
In 2023, nearly 45 percent of U.S. immigrants (21.5 million people) reported having Hispanic or Latino ethnic origins, reflecting a significant overrepresentation compared to other groups in the overall immigrant population.
Frequently Requested Statistics on Immigrants and Immigration in the United States — Migration Policy Institute
Black immigrants are less likely to be released on bond from ICE detention compared to other groups, highlighting racial disparities in detention outcomes.
Snapshot of ICE Detention — National Immigrant Justice Center
About 59% of Latinos say ICE has conducted arrests or raids in their area in recent months, compared to lower shares among other demographic groups, indicating higher exposure to enforcement actions.
On deportations, growing shares say Trump administration is doing too much — Pew Research Center
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