The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) entered a partial shutdown over the weekend after funding expired, marking the third such lapse during President Donald Trump’s second term. The deadlock comes as Congress remains in recess until February 23, with Republicans and Democrats unable to agree on the department’s budget and immigration policies.
The impasse stems from Democratic demands for stricter oversight of immigration enforcement, following the deaths of two US citizens in Minneapolis during federal ICE and Border Patrol operations in January. Democrats, led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, proposed measures including judicial warrants for property entries, verification of citizenship before detention, and restrictions on masked officers. They also want enforcement actions prohibited near courts, schools, medical facilities, polling places, and houses of worship, along with visible identification and clear uniforms for officers.
Republicans and ICE leadership, including former border chief Tom Homan, labeled these demands as “unreasonable,” arguing they would hamper law enforcement operations. Senator Markwayne Mullin described the Democratic stance as “political theatre.”
While the shutdown affects most DHS operations, essential services continue. Border security and immigration enforcement remain active, but agencies including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and Coast Guard face furloughs. At airports, 2,933 TSA employees are furloughed, while the rest continue working without pay.
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