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A US Department of Homeland Security shutdown has grown increasingly likely, with lawmakers fighting over funding for the US agency amid a bitter stand-off about President Barack Obama's immigration reform plan.
Facing a Friday deadline, Senate Democrats on Monday for a fourth time blocked a measure that would fund the department tasked with protecting Americans and securing the border.
Lawmakers want to see the agency fully funded, but the US$40 billion bill contains Republican amendments that would repeal Obama's plan to shield millions of people from deportation, changes that Democrats do not support.
With the blame game in full swing, it appeared increasingly likely Congress would fail to fund the security agency before the midnight Friday deadline.
"We're in a bit of a boxed canyon here, and I think we all know that," Republican Senator Jeff Flake said after the vote.

"Right now, it does seem to be where we're headed," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said of a possible shutdown.
All Senate Democrats voted against the measure, along with Republican Dean Heller.
Immediately afterward, the Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell introduced standalone legislation in order to repeal Obama's immigration "overreach".
He and his office gave no indication whether he would follow that up with a clean DHS funding bill.
Republicans including Flake and Senator John McCain have said they would support passing a temporary funding extension, a possible last-minute way to avoid a lapse.
Some House Republicans have indicated they might be willing to test a partial shutdown, arguing that essential personnel would keep working. House leaders have not indicated how they would proceed.
"It's going to be difficult for them to move anything," Flake said of the House. "There are a lot of people dug in."
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson called on Congress to act immediately to prevent a shutdown.
"If Congress wants to have a debate about immigration, the president and I welcome that debate," he said.
"But don't tie that debate to the funding of the men and women standing behind me," he told reporters, urging lawmakers to "figure out a way to break the impasse".
Should Congress fail to agree on funding, some agents, including border-security personnel, airport screeners and Secret Service agents tasked with protecting the president, would remain on the job without pay.
Funds for new border agents, training and equipment would be frozen. Crucial emergency management programs would halt.
"This is no way to run a government," Johnson said.
Obama reinforced the point to state governors gathered at the White House, where he warned of trickle-down effects of withholding 100,000 salaries.
"It will have a direct impact on your economy, and it will have a direct impact on America's national security," Obama said.


US Homeland Security faces shutdown amid funding battle in Congress

US Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, joined by the department employees, speaks during a news conference in Washington on Monday to discuss the need for Congress to pass a funding bill. Photo: AP

Republican Senator Jeff Flake is against the reform plan. Photo: AP

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Department of Homeland Security may shut down as Democrats block its funding amid a battle over Obama's immigration reform plan


A US Department of Homeland Security shutdown has grown increasingly likely, with lawmakers fighting over funding for the US agency amid a bitter stand-off about President Barack Obama's immigration reform plan.
