WP: US department of homeland security faces partial shutdown

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is expected to enter a partial shutdown at 12:01 a.m. EST on February 14 after congressional Democrats and the White House failed to reach agreement on new restrictions affecting federal immigration agents.

The shutdown will affect approximately 13% of the federal civilian workforce, including personnel at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Coast Guard. These employees will be temporarily furloughed or continue working without pay, according to The Washington Post. 

However, key immigration enforcement agencies — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) — are expected to continue operations. Both agencies received substantial funding under last year’s Republican tax and spending legislation, which earmarked $75 billion for ICE and helped ensure continuity of enforcement efforts even without a new funding agreement.

The shutdown stems from a broader dispute over immigration policy. Congressional Democrats have demanded new restrictions on federal immigration agents, a proposal the White House and Republican lawmakers have not accepted. As a result, DHS funding has lapsed while other federal agencies have been financed through to September 30, 2026, limiting the shutdown’s scope.

Both chambers of Congress have already adjourned for a scheduled recess and do not plan to return to Washington until February 23.

U.S. government shutdowns occur when Congress fails to pass appropriations legislation. During a shutdown, essential services related to public safety, national security and protection of government property continue, although affected employees may go without pay. Non‑essential federal workers are placed on temporary furlough. For DHS employees, the first missed pay period would occur on March 3.

By Sabina Mammadli