Ongoing US Government Shutdown: Day Three and Rising Tensions

Mon Feb 02 2026 19:47:54 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As the partial US government shutdown enters its third day, negotiations intensify with Democrats pushing for crucial immigration reforms amid funding disputes.

The partial shutdown of the US government has now reached its third day, highlighting the ongoing standoff between Democrats and Republicans. While a temporary funding package for key departments has been proposed, disagreements over the Department of Homeland Security and immigration policies continue to stall its approval. Advocates are calling for major reforms, particularly concerning oversight and operational procedures of immigration enforcement agencies.

The partial US government shutdown entered its third day on Monday without resolution as Democrats continued to demand immigration reforms as part of any funding deal to reopen the government.

Senate Democrats and Republicans agreed to a package of five spending bills on Thursday but stripped out a sixth bill on full fiscal year funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The Senate instead approved a two-week funding for the DHS that gives lawmakers more time to work out disputes over its long-term budget.

Democrats want changes to immigration enforcement operations, including requiring agents to wear body cameras and not wear masks.

The package approved by the Senate must now be cleared by the House of Representatives before it is sent to President Donald Trump's desk for signature.

The Senate package includes funding for the defense department, health department, treasury, federal court system, and other agencies until the end of the 2026 fiscal year on 30 September.

But funding for these federal agencies ended at midnight on Saturday, resulting in a partial shutdown, as the House is yet to approve it. The effects will be minimal though, as many government services do not operate over the weekend.

The House Rules Committee is expected to meet on Monday afternoon to consider the funding package.

The Senate-approved package must first clear a procedural hurdle known as the rule vote, which Democrats are expected to vote against.

Speaking to NBC News on Sunday, California Democratic Representative Ro Khanna said he was advocating for his colleagues to vote no on the DHS stopgap funding. 'I just don't see how in good conscience Democrats can vote for continuing ICE funding when they're killing American citizens,' he said.

Yet Republican leaders expressed confidence in passing all the bills soon. 'We'll get this done by Tuesday, I'm convinced,' said Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson on Fox News Sunday.

The Republican leader noted that a winter storm could complicate the assembly of lawmakers to vote, and Republicans currently hold a one-vote majority in the House.

The impasse comes as demonstrations erupt in Minneapolis, opposing Operation Metro Surge—an immigration enforcement effort that has provoked public outcry after two U.S. citizens were fatally shot by federal agents.

Democrats have demanded funding changes due to these fatal incidents, advocating for reform in ICE protocols, including a ban on agents wearing masks and stricter warrant requirements.

The DHS oversees multiple agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Coast Guard, and the Secret Service, with thousands of federal agents from ICE and CBP deployed in Minnesota as part of Trump's immigration crackdown.