DHS Government Shutdown: Which Services Face Impact?
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is poised for a shutdown due to Congress’s failure to pass a funding bill before a stopgap measure expires. This impending closure follows intense negotiations where Democrats proposed a range of conditions aimed at curbing harsh immigration measures in exchange for support. Unfortunately, no agreement was reached with Republican leaders.
Impact of the DHS Shutdown
A shutdown will cease various DHS operations unless Congress acts quickly. However, certain essential functions will continue. DHS’s official website states that during a funding lapse, only “exempt” activities, including law enforcement and maritime protection, may persist.
Exempt Employees and Operations
- Approximately 92% of DHS employees, or 249,065 out of 271,927, would be classified as essential and be required to work.
- These employees will not receive pay during the shutdown but are expected to be compensated retroactively once it ends.
Federal employees whose positions are crucial for the execution of presidential duties will continue working without funding, as outlined in DHS’s 2025 funding lapse plan.
Specific Agency Impacts
Several critical DHS components will be affected:
- Transportation Security Administration (TSA): TSA workers will work without pay, potentially resulting in increased security lines at airports.
- Coast Guard: While training operations may be suspended, search and rescue missions will remain active.
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Despite a shutdown, FEMA’s major disaster response efforts may continue, but reimbursement and support for recovery will be severely disrupted.
- Counterterrorism: Surveillance and intelligence operations are not expected to experience interruptions.
Immigration Enforcement Continuity
Significantly, immigration enforcement operations will remain intact. The Trump administration’s massive funding package last year, allocating $165 billion in total, ensures these operations can proceed despite the funding crisis. This includes $75 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and $65 billion for Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Presidential Protection and Law Enforcement
The U.S. Secret Service will continue to provide protective services for high-profile individuals such as the president and vice president. Law enforcement operations related to human life and property protection will also proceed, although administrative functions may see furloughs.
Conclusion
A DHS shutdown will disrupt many services and operations, although critical functions like immigration enforcement and national security measures will continue to operate with available funding. As the clock ticks down, federal employees and agencies are preparing for the implications of this potential shutdown, highlighting the urgent need for bipartisan cooperation in Congress.
