The White House has unveiled a new funding proposal for the Department of Homeland Security, offering $22.3 billion to resolve the partial government shutdown that began on February 14. The offer centers on immigration enforcement provisions and is aimed at securing bipartisan support.
- DHS shutdown began February 14, 2026, and remains unresolved
- New White House proposal: $22.3 billion in funding for DHS through FY2026
- $12.1 billion allocated for border security infrastructure
- Current asylum backlog exceeds 2.3 million cases
- Border patrol staffing at 87% capacity due to shutdown
- $2.5 billion reentry assistance program included in proposal
The Department of Homeland Security has remained partially shuttered since February 14, marking the longest government shutdown in over a decade. With the impasse persisting, the White House formally presented a revised funding package to congressional leaders, allocating $22.3 billion specifically for DHS operations through the end of fiscal year 2026. The proposal includes $12.1 billion for border security infrastructure, $5.7 billion for personnel and equipment, and $4.5 billion for immigration court processing and asylum system modernization. The package includes provisions permitting the use of $1.9 billion in existing emergency funds to support rapid deployment of personnel and technology at the southern border. Additionally, it establishes a $2.5 billion reentry assistance program aimed at improving the processing and integration of individuals removed from the country. The White House emphasized that the plan maintains current immigration enforcement policies while seeking to reduce backlogs in asylum applications, which currently exceed 2.3 million pending cases. The proposal has drawn cautious attention from House and Senate Democrats, who have demanded more robust funding for humanitarian services and legal representation. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stated the $22.3 billion figure is 'a starting point' but stressed that the final agreement must include stronger accountability measures and transparency on how funds are spent. Meanwhile, Republican leaders have signaled resistance to the reentry program, citing concerns over potential incentives for illegal entry. Market and operational impacts are already evident: border patrol staffing levels have dropped to 87% of capacity, and federal contractor delays have affected over 15,000 DHS-related projects. The shutdown has also disrupted critical infrastructure monitoring, particularly in air and maritime security, which rely on federal personnel across 14 regional hubs.