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A partial government shutdown started overnight Saturday, marking the third federal funding lapse in a matter of months. Unlike past shutdowns, this one is limited to the Department of Homeland Security and the agencies under its umbrella. The disruption stems from a debate over immigration enforcement in Congress. Democrats want new restrictions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol, but Republicans argue some of their demands go too far. There was no deal in sight as lawmakers left Capitol Hill for a 10-day recess without extending funding for DHS. While some workers will be furloughed, most DHS employees are considered essential and are expected to continue working without pay until the shutdown ends. The Transportation Security Administration will continue screening passengers at airports, but a potential increase in call-outs could lead to longer lines if the funding lapse persists. The shutdown could also delay technology upgrades and hurt efforts to recruit and retain employees long-term, the agency told lawmakers in a recent hearing. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency warned that the shutdown would delay the deployment of cybersecurity services and leave “significant gaps in security programs.”The U.S. Coast Guard said missions not necessary for national security would pause. Officials said the shutdown erodes readiness by halting certain training and delaying scheduled maintenance on aircraft and boats. The Federal Emergency Management Agency said its Disaster Relief Fund has enough money to continue emergency responses for the foreseeable future, but officials say the shutdown will disrupt reimbursements to states recovering from past disasters and limit coordination with local partners.ICE and Border Patrol operations, on the other hand, will mostly continue unabated because Republicans surged funding for those agencies in President Donald Trump’s megabill last year. Democrats say they will not approve full DHS funding unless Republicans agree to new restrictions on immigration enforcement, but significant differences remain. “We’ve drawn a hard line in the sand on behalf of the American people, and we’re not going to allow the Congress to cross it. ICE needs to be dramatically reformed. Period. Full stop,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Trump had a much different message when asked about the status of negotiations on Friday. “ICE has done a phenomenal job,” Trump said. “We have a closed border for the first time in history. We have to protect law enforcement.”Democrats are expected to continue negotiations with the White House in the coming days. Lawmakers may be called back from their break early if a compromise is reached. Congress has already approved full-year funding for other federal agencies, leaving them unscathed by the current shutdown. Democrats and the White House recently struck a deal to separate DHS funding from a broader spending package. It was a response to growing calls for reform after federal officers fatally shot two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis during the president’s sweeping immigration crackdown. The agreement only extended DHS funding for two weeks, but the stopgap measure has since expired.
A partial government shutdown started overnight Saturday, marking the third federal funding lapse in a matter of months.
Unlike past shutdowns, this one is limited to the Department of Homeland Security and the agencies under its umbrella.
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The disruption stems from a debate over immigration enforcement in Congress. Democrats want new restrictions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol, but Republicans argue some of their demands go too far. There was no deal in sight as lawmakers left Capitol Hill for a 10-day recess without extending funding for DHS.
While some workers will be furloughed, most DHS employees are considered essential and are expected to continue working without pay until the shutdown ends.
The Transportation Security Administration will continue screening passengers at airports, but a potential increase in call-outs could lead to longer lines if the funding lapse persists. The shutdown could also delay technology upgrades and hurt efforts to recruit and retain employees long-term, the agency told lawmakers in a recent hearing.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency warned that the shutdown would delay the deployment of cybersecurity services and leave “significant gaps in security programs.”
The U.S. Coast Guard said missions not necessary for national security would pause. Officials said the shutdown erodes readiness by halting certain training and delaying scheduled maintenance on aircraft and boats.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency said its Disaster Relief Fund has enough money to continue emergency responses for the foreseeable future, but officials say the shutdown will disrupt reimbursements to states recovering from past disasters and limit coordination with local partners.
ICE and Border Patrol operations, on the other hand, will mostly continue unabated because Republicans surged funding for those agencies in President Donald Trump’s megabill last year.
Democrats say they will not approve full DHS funding unless Republicans agree to new restrictions on immigration enforcement, but significant differences remain.
“We’ve drawn a hard line in the sand on behalf of the American people, and we’re not going to allow the Congress to cross it. ICE needs to be dramatically reformed. Period. Full stop,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Trump had a much different message when asked about the status of negotiations on Friday.
“ICE has done a phenomenal job,” Trump said. “We have a closed border for the first time in history. We have to protect law enforcement.”
Democrats are expected to continue negotiations with the White House in the coming days. Lawmakers may be called back from their break early if a compromise is reached.
Congress has already approved full-year funding for other federal agencies, leaving them unscathed by the current shutdown.
Democrats and the White House recently struck a deal to separate DHS funding from a broader spending package. It was a response to growing calls for reform after federal officers fatally shot two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis during the president’s sweeping immigration crackdown. The agreement only extended DHS funding for two weeks, but the stopgap measure has since expired.
