Up First from NPR Senate Funding Vote, ICE Family Detention Protest, Fed Holds Interest Rates
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Jan 29, 2026 
Joey Palacios, Texas Public Radio reporter who covered the South Texas family detention protest and Liam Ramos’s case. Claudia Grisales, NPR congressional correspondent who explained Senate tactics on DHS funding and ICE limits. They discuss a tense detention-center confrontation and legal hurdles around a child’s removal. They also cover Democrats’ push to block DHS funds and the politics of splitting the spending package.
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DHS Funding Tied To ICE Reforms
- Senate Democrats will block a funding package that includes DHS until ICE reforms are negotiated.
- Claudia Grisales explains this could cause partial shutdowns if agreements aren't reached quickly.
Splitting Appropriations Is Procedurally Hard
- Splitting the six-bill package to remove DHS would require unanimous Senate consent and fast renegotiation.
- Some Republicans signaled openness, but procedural and House obstacles make it a tall order.
Dilley Protest Turns Confrontational
- Protesters marched two miles to the Dilley family detention center and were met by state troopers and masked ICE agents.
- Police deployed pepper balls and white smoke, making it hard to breathe and dispersing the crowd.