Partial Government Shutdown Over DHS Funding Poised to Continue
Lawmakers and the White House showed no signs of compromise over the holiday weekend in their ongoing battle over oversight of federal immigration officers, which has triggered a pause in funding for the Department of Homeland Security. The partial government shutdown began on Saturday after congressional Democrats and President Donald Trump's administration failed to reach an agreement on legislation to fund the department through September.
Demands for Immigration Reform Following Fatal Shootings
Democrats are insisting on changes to how immigration operations are conducted, a demand intensified by the fatal shootings of U.S. citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal officers in Minneapolis last month. Unlike the record 43-day shutdown last fall, this closure is narrowly confined, affecting only agencies under the DHS umbrella. These include the Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
However, the work of ICE and CBP will largely continue without interruption, thanks to billions in funding from Trump's 2025 tax and spending cut law. This financial cushion ensures that critical immigration enforcement activities remain operational despite the funding lapse.
Impact on Federal Workers and Essential Services
During a shutdown, each federal agency designates which employees are "essential" or "excepted," terms that mean the same in this context. These workers continue their duties, typically without pay until government funding is restored. Examples of essential employees include military personnel, airport security screeners, and law enforcement officers.
The designation can cover a wide range of positions, from those critical for public safety to those authorized by law to continue even without new funding. Most of the over 270,000 people employed by DHS are deemed essential, meaning they stay on the job. In the fall 2025 shutdown, more than 258,000 DHS employees fell into this category, with about 22,000—or 5% of the agency's total workforce—being furloughed.
Agencies Affected by the Shutdown
Other agencies impacted include the Secret Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The vast majority of employees at the Secret Service and U.S. Coast Guard will continue working, though they may miss paychecks depending on the shutdown's duration.
At FEMA, the shutdown disrupts the agency's ability to reimburse states for disaster relief costs. Some workers will be furloughed, limiting coordination with state and local partners. Training for first responders at the National Disaster and Emergency Management University in Maryland will also be disrupted.
Root Causes of the Homeland Security Shutdown
The shutdown stems from Trump acquiescing to Democrats' request to strip Homeland Security funding from a broader spending package. This move was intended to allow more time for negotiations over demands for changes to immigration enforcement, such as implementing a code of conduct for federal agents and requiring officers to show identification. DHS was temporarily funded only through Friday, leading to the current impasse.
The rest of the federal government remains funded through September 30, meaning most federal programs are unaffected. This includes food assistance, pay for most federal workers, and compensation for service members, which will continue uninterrupted. The shutdown highlights the ongoing political tensions surrounding immigration policy and federal oversight, with no immediate resolution in sight as both sides hold firm on their positions.
