THE WEEK’S US BORDER NEWS IN BRIEF:
The week of February 22–28, 2026, was an eventful one, led by the US Attack on Iran, which has security implications, including:
GOP calls for Democrats to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS):
GOP leaders called on Democrats to fully fund the DHS to ensure its ability to protect the security of America’s homeland amid Iran’s pledge to strike back.
“Given developments in the Middle East and the ongoing threat posed by Iran and its terrorist proxies, Democrats in the House and Senate must cease the politics and must immediately fund the Department of Homeland Security,” said Rep. Daniel Meuser, R-Pa.
A mass shooting in Austin, possibly in retaliation for the attack on Iran:
The gunman who killed two people on a busy Austin street early Sunday in a mass shooting that left 14 others wounded was wearing a sweatshirt that said “Property of Allah,” and another shirt with an Iranian flag design, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press. The shooter has been identified as a 53-year-old from Senegal who came to the US in 2006 and had since become a naturalized US citizen. Austin Police officers shot and killed him.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott vowed that “Texas will respond with decisive and overwhelming force to protect our state.” Earlier in the week, he surged law enforcement to the Texas Border in response to cartel violence in Mexico.
Here’s what you need to know about the DHS funding battle:
The Department of Homeland Security entered its 16th day of a partial shutdown on March 1, 2026, after the Senate failed to pass a funding bill.
The Impasse: Senate Democrats blocked a $45 billion funding proposal, demanding oversight reforms for ICE and CBP following fatal shootings by federal agents in Minnesota.
Emergency Measures: DHS suspended Global Entry arrivals and non-disaster FEMA responses on February 22 to conserve funds.
Workforce Pay: CBP is utilizing funds from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to continue paying approximately 57,600 “essential” employees during the lapse.
Other substantial events of the week include:
1. State of the Union (February 24-25)
President Trump centered his address on border security, declaring the border “secure” and touting a nine-month streak of zero migrant releases.
Confrontations: Rep. Ilhan Omar and Rep. Rashida Tlaib interrupted the speech to protest enforcement tactics, with Omar shouting, “You have killed Americans”.
Policy Defense: Trump criticized Democrats for delaying DHS funding and argued that protecting citizens must take precedence over “illegal aliens”.
2. Judicial & Policy Rulings
“Third Country” Deportations: A federal judge ruled on February 25 that a DHS policy allowing rapid deportations to third countries (nations other than a migrant’s home country) is unlawful.
IRS Data Sharing: A D.C. federal court rejected a request on February 24 to block the IRS from sharing taxpayer data with ICE, a practice intended to help identify and deport undocumented residents.
Refugee Program: Reports on March 1 noted the refugee resettlement cap for FY 2026 was set at a record low of 7,500.
3. Enforcement Drawdown in Minnesota
Operation Metro Surge: As of February 23, no Border Patrol agents remained in Minnesota as the massive surge operation concluded its major phase.
Remaining Force: Roughly 400 federal agents (mostly HSI) remain in the state to wind down operations, compared to a pre-surge baseline of 150.
Data Scrutiny: A February 28 analysis by the Minnesota Star Tribune found that many individuals ICE claimed to have “taken off the streets” were already in local custody at the time of their arrest.
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Abrazos,
Jack Beavers
They should have thought of that before the started an illegal war with Netanyahu the war criminal. Funny how this money will goto the ice gestapo and not to protect Americans, but to kidnap and kill them.