Democrats have the opportunity to show the world which matters more to them: handing a defeat to President Trump or helping the people they care about, such as refugees, immigrants in the U.S. illegally since childhood, and federal workers.

The White House over the weekend put forth a proposal that gives Democrats a lot on immigration while asking for very little.

The trade: extended legal protection for thousands of immigrants living in the country currently awaiting the court system to determine their fate in exchange for $5.7 billion in funding for construction of more wall barrier on the southern border.

An agreement on such a deal would ideally reopen the full federal government and give both sides victories, however small, on immigration. It would also create breathing room for future negotiations on a bigger deal that would offer more security on the border and perhaps some kind of permanent status for immigrants here now in an uncomfortable legal limbo.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Sunday that he would put the White House’s proposal to a vote this week. The bill's passage would require the support of all Republicans, plus an additional seven Democrats, no doubt a high threshold to meet.

But Democrats, led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., have called any vote pointless, a “nonstarter.”

Is it a nonstarter for the 800,000 federal workers, some of whom are going on their second round without a paycheck? Is it a nonstarter for the farmers and other Americans who've seen their livelihoods stalled because they can't access government agencies and services on which they rely? Is it a nonstarter for the thousands of immigrants in the country watching their futures hang in the balance?

The shutdown started with Trump. He said he was proud to own it. But Democrats have a lot to gain by working with him to end it. They should invite the opportunity to debate the bill and offer up any amendments they see to their advantage.

If, after the offer of a floor debate and a chance to add their amendments on immigration, they refuse to allow an up-or-down vote on the measure, the public will know that Democrats care more about opposing Trump than they care for immigrants in legal jeopardy.