Why Democrats have little leverage to reform ICE

Why Democrats have little leverage to reform ICE

Author: NPR April 17, 2026 Duration: 27:18
Most of the Department of Homeland Security has been without funding for two months, but Immigration and Customs Enforcement got billions of dollars from last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. We discuss how that funding insulates the agency from congressional oversight and how a proposal from congressional Republicans could further limit accountability. Plus, the significance of another failed vote to rein in the administration’s war powers.

This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, immigration policy correspondent Ximena Bustillo, congressional reporter Sam Gringlas and White House correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben.

This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and edited by Rachel Baye.

Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

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If your day feels incomplete without a deep dive into the latest from Capitol Hill or the campaign trail, you’ve found your daily briefing. The NPR Politics Podcast brings together NPR's seasoned political journalists each weekday afternoon, offering clarity on the headlines that shape our nation. This isn't just a rapid-fire news update; it's a conversation that digs into the substance behind the soundbites. The team provides essential context, helping to untangle complex legislative maneuvers and electoral strategies so you understand not only what's occurring, but the real-world implications of every decision and debate. By focusing on the "why" behind the news, this podcast transforms daily political coverage into something genuinely substantive. For those who want to go even deeper, the subscription option offers a way to support the work directly and listen without interruptions. Tune in for reliable, thoughtful analysis that cuts through the noise, making sense of a rapidly changing political landscape.
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