Congress faces deadline to fund Homeland Security amid immigration reform standoff

Lawmakers are returning to Washington with just days to reach a funding agreement for the Department of Homeland Security, or risk a shutdown of the agency.

(CNN)- Lawmakers are returning to Washington with just days to reach a funding agreement for the Department of Homeland Security, or risk a shutdown of the agency.

The deadline to secure funding for DHS is Friday. If Congress fails to act, the lapse would impact Homeland Security operations but would not trigger a full federal government shutdown, since the funding measure applies only to DHS.

Democrats are tying their support for a funding package to reforms in federal immigration enforcement. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats are standing firm on their demands and warned that Republicans would bear responsibility if DHS shuts down.

Among the proposed changes, Democrats are calling for immigration enforcement agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to wear body cameras and remove face masks while conducting operations. Other reform conditions are also part of the negotiations.

Some Republican lawmakers have signaled openness to certain transparency measures, including body cameras. However, other Democratic demands are facing stronger resistance from GOP members, who argue that additional restrictions could hinder enforcement efforts.

With the Friday deadline fast approaching, congressional leaders are under pressure to strike a deal that funds DHS while addressing concerns over immigration enforcement policies.