Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are maintaining their opposition to funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) without reforms, despite a recent deadly shooting linked to a suspect with ties to ISIS. Both senators continue alongside Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in blocking Senate Republican efforts to reopen DHS funding pending changes to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) policies.
Shooting at Old Dominion University Raises Security Concerns
The FBI declared the March 12 shooting at Old Dominion University a terrorist act after identifying the alleged shooter, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, as a former Army National Guard member convicted of supporting ISIS. The incident left one person dead and two others wounded. Sen. Warner expressed sorrow for the death of Lt. Col. Brandon A. Shah and praised students who subdued Jalloh. Warner also criticized FBI Director Kash Patel, accusing his leadership of weakening counterterrorism efforts after dismissing experienced agents.
Dispute Over ICE Cooperation and Detention Policies
Warner and Kaine also addressed the case of Abdul Jalloh, an illegal immigrant charged with murder earlier this year who had a lengthy criminal record and multiple arrests dating back to 2014. Virginia Democrats questioned ICE’s repeated failure to detain Abdul Jalloh, with Kaine highlighting that ICE’s handling of the case spanned multiple administrations and demanding that the agency take greater responsibility. Warner emphasized that an individual with numerous arrests should not remain in the country.
DHS Funding Debate Continues Despite Security Risks
Sen. Kaine stated that Senate Democrats have repeatedly voted to fund DHS components like the TSA, CISA, and Coast Guard, which Republicans have blocked in their efforts to leverage reforms in ICE and CBP. Senate Republicans cite increased terrorist threats, especially following U.S. actions in Iran, as justification to restore DHS funding immediately. However, Virginia Democrats remain firm on requiring immigration enforcement reforms before approving new DHS appropriations.
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