As the federal government heads toward a potential shutdown as early as Jan. 30, after the Senate on Thursday failed to advance a six-bill funding package that includes the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 41 members of the New York City Council sent a letter to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Jan. 29 urging him to continue blocking any funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement or the Department of Homeland Security.
The stalled legislation (H.R. 7147) would provide billions of dollars in funding for ICE and DHS.
The Council’s appeal comes as Senate Democrats negotiate federal funding legislation on Capitol Hill. In recent days, Schumer and his Democratic colleagues have signaled they will not back a full appropriations package unless changes are made to how ICE and DHS operate nationwide. Proposed reforms include stronger accountability measures and limits on certain enforcement practices.
Late Thursday, Senate Democrats reached a deal with the White House and Senate Republicans to avoid another prolonged shutdown. If the agreement holds, it would fund the government except for DHS, which would receive a two-week extension while lawmakers negotiate a list of reforms. The Senate hopes to vote on the deal Friday.
The negotiations unfold amid nationwide protests over the killings of Alex Pretti and Renée Nicole Good by federal agents in Minneapolis. On Wednesday, Senate Democrats issued a list of demands that included banning federal agents from wearing masks and conducting roving patrols, requiring agents to wear body cameras, and imposing stricter rules governing warrants.
Advocates and lawmakers have linked the deaths to systemic failures, medical neglect, and what they describe as a broader culture within federal enforcement agencies that prioritizes militarized tactics over human rights and due process.
The Council’s letter notes that in 2025, at least 32 people died in ICE custody — its deadliest year in more than two decades — citing systemic failures, medical neglect, and a culture of impunity within immigration detention. The letter also states that the shooting deaths of Pretti and Good underscore long-standing warnings from immigrant communities and civil rights advocates about excessive force, minimal accountability, and a disregard for human life within ICE and the broader DHS enforcement system.
“As representatives of New York City—home to one of the largest and most vibrant immigrant populations in the world—we urge you to continue blocking any funding package that resources ICE or DHS,” the letter reads. “Incremental reforms will not prevent deaths, curb abuse, or meaningfully change an agency whose mission and structure are fundamentally incompatible with democratic values.”
The letter was authored by Brooklyn Council Member Shahana Hanif, whose district includes Kensington, Borough Park, Windsor Terrace, Park Slope, Gowanus, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill, and the Columbia Waterfront. Hanif stressed that the moment represents a critical choice for Democratic leadership between upholding democratic values and continuing to fund what she described as a cruel deportation regime.
“In New York and cities nationwide, immigrant communities live with the very real consequences of an enforcement system that operates with extraordinary force and little accountability,” Hanif wrote in a statement.
While Council Speaker Julie Menin did not co-sign the letter, much of her leadership team joined their colleagues, including Deputy Speaker Nantasha Williams, Majority Leader Shaun Abreu, Deputy Majority Whip Elsie Encarnación, Deputy Leader Sandra Ung, and Deputy Leader Chris Banks.
Menin said she supports the position outlined in the letter.
“ICE has been harassing, jailing, and murdering innocent people across the country. This is a threat to our safety and to our democracy, and there is no reason our tax dollars should continue to support it. As I expressed to Leader Schumer, I support the position outlined in this letter from my colleagues — unless this agency and its operations are completely structurally reformed, our federal representatives should refuse to support any further funding,” Menin said.
Council Member Sandy Nurse (D-Brooklyn), chair of the Council’s Committee on Human and Civil Rights, said New York City elected officials are “ready to protect our communities and are watching to ensure our representatives in Washington do the same.”
“With ICE actively murdering and disappearing people with impunity, now is the time for morally decisive action to starve this rogue paramilitary force of funds for their reign of terror on our cities. Our communities can’t afford more piecemeal compromises or capitulation from national Democratic leaders,” Nurse said.
In a speech on the Senate floor Thursday, Schumer called on Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota) to work with Senate Democrats to separate DHS funding from the broader appropriations package so the Senate could immediately pass five bipartisan funding bills and negotiate changes to the DHS measure.
Schumer said Senate Democrats are united around several goals to rein in ICE and end violence, including ending roving patrols, tightening rules governing warrants, holding ICE and federal agents to the same standards as other law enforcement agencies, requiring independent investigations, banning agents from wearing masks, and mandating body cameras and visible identification.
He called for an end to what he described as “state-sanctioned thuggery,” saying Congress has both the authority and the moral obligation to act.
“Now, the onus is on Leader Thune and Senate Republicans to work with Democrats to turn these goals into legislation. They are in the majority, Republicans are. They are the ones who have the responsibility to govern, and Democrats are ready to come to the table,” Schumer said. “If Republicans refuse to work with us to rein in ICE and to end the violence, they’re telling the American people they’re choosing to protect ICE over choosing to protect people’s safety.”
