Blog Defense Budget, Human Rights, ICE, ICE raids, Immigration, militarization, military Amy Snyder February 25, 2026 0 Comments

Weekly Brief Feb. 24: Domestic Militarization Watch

February 24, 2026

🛑DHS Shutdown Enters Week Two, Confusion Remains on TSA Impacts

The partial government shutdown over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has entered Day 10 after Donald Trump rejected Democrats’ counterproposal, which sought judicial warrant requirements for property entry and restrictions on mask use by ICE agents. Democratic lawmakers argue the standoff is fundamentally an immigration policy dispute that should not be tied to DHS appropriations, calling the administration’s approach “incredibly irresponsible.” They emphasize the collateral impact on federal workers and the public, as funding lapses disrupt operations at the United States Coast Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) (News9, 23 Feb. 2026).
As the partial government shutdown entered its second week, unnecessary confusion and disruption arose after the DHS announced – then reversed – the suspension of popular travel-expediting programs. DHS’s bungled announcements — including reversing decisions on programs like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry amid travel season — have added to confusion and strain on travelers already coping with staffing shortages and unpaid frontline workers. The agency’s prioritization decisions reflect a failure to manage essential services responsibly during a funding lapse, leaving everyday Americans to bear the brunt of political gridlock (KOTA News, 23 Feb. 2026).
The DHS abruptly walked back its plan to suspend the TSA PreCheck program amid the ongoing shutdown, saying PreCheck will remain operational for now, though Global Entry, the trusted-traveler customs program run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection will remain suspended at some airports. Critics say it reflects political posturing rather than sound management. Rather than focusing on keeping essential services running smoothly, the administration’s actions effectively used everyday travelers as leverage in budget negotiations, forcing people into longer lines and punishing the public for a legislative impasse. Lawmakers and industry groups condemned the policy as using the American public “as pawns” in a political game that undermines both travel efficiency and public confidence in federal operations (ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026).

📉Trump’s Approval Ratings on Immigration Drop in Recent Polls – and a Top Driver of Defections

A new national survey report from Morris Predictive Insights reveals a top driver of “defectors” among Trump’s own 2024 voters is the administration’s actions on immigration enforcement. Additionally, the survey noted that nearly 70% of Americans feel the Trump administration is focusing too much on deportations and not enough on the economy, inflation, and the cost of living. The results also reflect a growing divide among Trump’s Latino and white voters. Only 40% of Latino Trump voters strongly approve of the administration’s handling of deportations, versus 57% of white Trump voters, suggesting that the rise of ICE actions is putting a strain on the support from Latino voters, who were central to Trump’s gains in 2024 (Morris Predictive Insights, 23 Feb. 2026).
These results are consistent with other recent polls. According to an NBC News Decision Desk Poll, Trump’s ratings on immigration are plunging as Americans lose confidence in his enforcement methods (NBC News, 11 Feb. 2026).
Additionally, a Reuters/Ipsos poll reported the lowest level of approval rates on Trump’s immigration policies since his return. However, his overall approval rating remained at a steady 38% (Reuters, 17 Feb. 2026).

🏛️Judicial and Legislative Pushback Emerges Against Federal Immigration and Military Enforcement Measures

Oregon state Democrats in the Legislature approved a measure aimed at making it more difficult for a future president to send National Guard troops from other states into Oregon for law enforcement or immigration enforcement without the Oregon governor’s consent. The proposal responds to past tensions over federal military support in Portland, where attempted National Guard deployments during protests over immigration enforcement drew legal challenges on constitutional grounds. Supporters frame it as protecting state authority and preventing politicization of the Guard, while opponents view it as largely symbolic and potentially facing legal hurdles. It now moves to the Senate for further consideration (Oregon Public Broadcasting, 19 Feb. 2026).
The Trump administration issued a new Department of Homeland Security directive that could require tens of thousands of legally admitted refugees to return to federal custody after one year for review of their green card applications, potentially leading to detention during that process. The policy — part of a broader immigration enforcement push that included Operation PARRIS targeting Minnesota refugees — triggered legal action; a federal judge blocked arrests and ordered the release of detainees, highlighting that refugees are already extensively vetted and legally present. Advocates argue the rule undermines long-standing refugee protections and fuels fear among vulnerable populations. The litigation continues, with judges weighing whether to extend restraining orders against enforcement (AP News, 19 Feb. 2026).
A federal judge sharply criticized the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement practices in a ruling, accusing it of deploying “terror tactics” and violating legal procedures by denying bond hearings and ignoring prior court orders in immigration cases. The judge mandated that the DHS provide detained immigrants with timely notice of bond eligibility and access to legal counsel, and struck down an immigration board ruling that backed the government’s mass detention policy. The decision underscores judicial pushback against the administration’s broader crackdown, which has been contested in multiple courts nationwide (AP News, 19 Feb. 2026).