A little more than three months after the last prolonged government shutdown, thousands of Department of Homeland Security employees are back to working without paychecks.
A partial shutdown went into effect early Saturday after the Senate failed to advance a funding bill for the DHS. Lawmakers were unable to secure the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster, as negotiations collapsed over immigration enforcement policy.
Democrats pushed for reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations including proposed oversight measures and limits on certain enforcement tactics — many Republicans rejected those provisions. With no agreement in place before a short-term funding extension expired, DHS funding lapsed, triggering the shutdown.
“It is our view that immigration enforcement in this country should be fair and should be just and should be humane,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. “That’s not what’s happening here.”
The agencies affected are the Transportation Security Administration, Coast Guard, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Customs and Border Protection and the Secret Service.
While most DHS employees are considered essential and must continue working, many are doing so without pay until Congress reaches a deal.
Unlike the last shutdown that started in October, there would be no mass flight cancellations. Air traffic controllers are employed by the Federal Aviation Administration under the Department of Transportation, which remains fully funded through September.
However, history suggests travelers could begin to feel the impact if the shutdown drags on. During the record 43-day shutdown that ended in November, many TSA officers called out of work after missing paychecks. Even a small number of absences led to longer security lines at certain airports, particularly smaller hubs with limited screening checkpoints.
Lawmakers are not returning to Washington, D.C., until Monday, offering no immediate sign of resolution. Until funding is restored, travelers are advised to arrive early, monitor airline updates, and prepare for possible delays particularly as spring break crowds grow in the days ahead.
