Senior immigration officials from the Department of Homeland Security will testify before the House Homeland Security Committee this week as Congress faces a February 14 deadline to fund the department. The hearing will focus on border security operations and immigration enforcement priorities.
The testimony comes as House Republicans and Democrats remain divided over DHS funding levels and immigration policy conditions. The department has operated under a continuing resolution since October 2025, maintaining funding at prior-year levels without new policy changes.
What the Left Is Saying
House Democrats argue that DHS funding should focus on humanitarian processing and immigration court resources rather than expanded enforcement. Representative Bennie Thompson, ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee, stated that the hearing should examine whether current resources are being used effectively for asylum processing and family reunification.
Progressive lawmakers have called for increased funding for refugee resettlement programs and legal representation for asylum seekers. The Congressional Progressive Caucus released a statement noting that immigration courts face a backlog of over 3 million cases and require additional judges and support staff rather than more border patrol agents.
What the Right Is Saying
House Republicans have indicated they will use the DHS funding bill to push for stricter border security measures. Representative Mark Green, chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, said the hearing will examine whether DHS has adequate resources to secure the border and enforce existing immigration law.
Conservative members are seeking funding increases for border wall construction, detention facilities, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel. The Republican Study Committee has proposed conditioning DHS funding on implementation of stricter asylum screening procedures and expanded use of expedited removal authority.
What the Numbers Show
DHS requested $62.8 billion for fiscal year 2026, a 7% increase over 2025 levels. U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported 1.8 million encounters at the southwest border in fiscal year 2025, down 15% from 2024. Immigration courts currently have 3.2 million pending cases, with average wait times exceeding four years.
The continuing resolution expires February 14 at 11:59 PM. If Congress does not pass a funding bill by that deadline, DHS would face a partial shutdown affecting approximately 230,000 employees, though essential personnel including border agents and TSA officers would continue working without pay.
The Bottom Line
Congress has four days to reach agreement on DHS funding or pass another short-term extension. The hearing will likely preview negotiating positions as appropriators work toward a final spending bill. House leadership has not indicated whether they will pursue a standalone DHS bill or include it in a broader government funding package.