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The President of the United States, Donald Trump, signed the budget law approved by the House of Representatives on Tuesday, thereby reopening the federal government, which had been partially closed since last Saturday.
According to the agency EFE, the approval in the House of Representatives ended the temporary shutdown of agencies and public departments, with the exception of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), whose funding will be debated in the next ten days.
Congress must now negotiate the budget allocation for National Security, which is responsible for immigration management, a point that has created tensions between Republicans and Democrats following the death of two protesters during immigration raids in Minneapolis last month.
The Chamber approved the measure by a narrow margin of 217 votes in favor and 214 against, and immediately sent it to President Trump, who signed the text shortly thereafter.
The vote, while allowing for the reopening of most agencies, foreshadows tough negotiations regarding border control and immigration policy.
Democrats are demanding greater oversight of DHS actions, including the requirement for agents to wear body cameras, present search warrants to access private properties, and keep their identification visible during operations.
In response to political pressure and criticism regarding the events in Minneapolis, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that federal agents will begin using body cameras in an effort to quell the controversy ahead of the vote.
Trump, for his part, softened some of his immigration measures and appointed veteran official Tom Homan as the new head of border operations, replacing Greg Bovino.
Despite the reopening of the Government, budget negotiations will remain tense in the coming days, with Congress divided and immigration at the center of the political debate in Washington.
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