SHUTDOWN FIGHT: WHITE HOUSE, GOP BLAST DEMS OVER 'FUNDING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS' AS DHS PREPS TO KEEP ICE RUNNING

Ahead of the funding deadline, the White House and Republicans are framing Democrats’ asks on ACA tax credits and immigrant services as “funding illegal immigrants,” aiming to pin blame for a possible shutdown. Democrats say they’re trying to lower healthcare costs for millions, not expand benefits for undocumented immigrants. In parallel, DHS contingency plans indicate ICE enforcement and other fee-funded immigration functions would continue during a lapse, underscoring the enforcement stakes in the standoff.