The Department of Homeland Security has entered a partial shutdown as lawmakers remain divided over funding and oversight of immigration enforcement operations
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) entered a partial shutdown on Saturday as US lawmakers remain locked in a dispute over funding for the agency central to President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.
Thousands of federal employees, from airport security staff to disaster response officials, will either be furloughed or required to work without pay until Congress reaches an agreement.
Dispute centred on ICE operations
At the heart of the standoff is Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), whose agents shot and killed two
US citizens during sweeping raids in Minneapolis that sparked widespread protests.
Democrats have refused to approve new DHS funding unless significant changes are made to how ICE operates. They are calling for restrictions on patrols, a ban on
agents wearing face masks during operations and a requirement for judicial warrants before entering private property.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries accused Republicans of failing to rein in ICE, saying, “Donald Trump and Republicans have decided that they have zero interest in getting ICE under control.”
“Dramatic changes are needed,” Jeffries told reporters. “Absent that, Republicans have decided to shut down parts of the federal government.”
The White House has rejected that characterisation. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News that Democrats were “barrelling our government towards another shutdown for political and partisan reasons.”
ICE continues despite DHS funding gap
Although DHS has entered a shutdown, ICE will continue to operate using funds allocated under last year’s government spending legislation.
Senator John Fetterman distanced himself from his party’s stance, stating, “This shutdown literally has zero impact on ICE.”
Instead, the shutdown’s effects will be felt most sharply by other agencies under DHS. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), responsible for disaster response, and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which oversees airport security, are among those impacted.
The TSA warned on X that an extended shutdown could lead to longer airport queues and possible flight cancellations.
Third shutdown of Trump’s second term
This marks the third shutdown during Trump’s second term, following a record 43-day closure in October and November last year and a separate four-day partial shutdown earlier this month, both linked to DHS funding disagreements.
In the Senate, even if all 53 Republicans support the funding measure, 60 votes are required to advance the bill, meaning at least several Democrats would need to break ranks.
The White House has signalled a willingness to negotiate over immigration enforcement policy in response to Democratic demands. Senate Majority Leader John Thune described the offer as “an extremely serious” one, but cautioned that Democrats would not secure everything they are seeking.
During the previous shutdown, concessions were made after mounting public pressure following the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a mother of three, and Alex Pretti, a nurse who worked with military veterans, in Minneapolis.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that federal agents operating in the city would begin wearing body cameras “effective immediately”, with plans to expand the measure nationwide.
The Senate entered a week-long recess starting Thursday, although members could be recalled if negotiations accelerate.
For now, however, discussions between the White House and Democratic leaders remain at an impasse.
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