Cory Booker joins Senate Democrats in opposing ICE funding amid new death in Minneapolis raids

Senate Democrats are putting their foot down on a DHS funding bill as ICE agents continue their violent raids in Minneapolis.

As the U.S. deals with another deadly shooting of a U.S. citizen by ICE agents, Democratic lawmakers have vowed to oppose a bill that would fund ICE operations at the Department of Homeland Security. The elected officials, such as Senator Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, have expressed their resolve to stand firm against the measure, as reported by The New York Times.

As news of the death of 37-year-old Alex Pretti sparked outrage across America, Schumer condemned the killing while declaring that Senate Democrats will not support the appropriations bill. He and fellow senators criticized the bill in its current form, claiming it allocates more funding for ICE.

Booker also shared on social media about the “out of control and irresponsible” government agency, emphasizing his opposition to new ICE detention centers in his state.

Today I visited Roxbury, where ICE is considering building a detention center against the wishes of a bipartisan coalition of local leaders. I also met with community members and law enforcement in Morristown to discuss recent ICE activity that has left the community… pic.twitter.com/IEP6AfEGlP

– Senator Cory Booker (@SenBooker) January 21, 2026

“The stories of ICE actions and their consequences are not far off; they have real consequences for our friends and neighbors in New Jersey. Let me be clear: I do not support new ICE detention centers in New Jersey, and I will not vote to continue funding this out-of-control agency,” the New Jersey official said.

Booker also stated, “Congress must not continue to fund an out-of-control and unaccountable DHS and ICE that have repeatedly escalated violence in serious violations of the laws and constitutional protections.

Schumer confirmed that the Senate does not have the necessary votes to pass the bill, while Democrats force their hand. However, if the bill is not passed, the federal government faces the risk of a partial shutdown. In its current form, the measure remains part of a crucial spending package, leaving funding for several other agencies up in the air.

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