Budget Deadlock Triggers Partial Shutdown of U.S. Homeland Security Department
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) entered a partial shutdown on Saturday as lawmakers in Washington remain locked in a bitter standoff over funding for the agency at the heart of President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda.
The funding lapse affects thousands of federal employees, including airport security personnel and disaster response officials, many of whom will either be furloughed or required to work without pay until Congress reaches an agreement.
At the center of the dispute is U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), whose recent enforcement operations have sparked intense political and public backlash. Tensions escalated following deadly incidents during immigration raids in Minneapolis, prompting mass protests and renewed scrutiny of the agency’s tactics.
Democratic lawmakers are resisting additional DHS funding unless significant reforms are introduced in ICE’s operations. Their demands include restrictions on patrol practices, a ban on agents wearing face coverings during enforcement actions, and a requirement that officers obtain judicial warrants before entering private property.
“Donald Trump and Republicans have decided that they have zero interest in getting ICE under control,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Friday. He argued that “dramatic changes are needed,” adding that Republicans have effectively chosen to shut down parts of the federal government rather than negotiate reforms.
The White House has rejected that characterization. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt accused Democrats of driving the impasse, telling Fox News that they are “barreling our government towards another shutdown for political and partisan reasons.”
Despite the broader departmental shutdown, ICE will continue operating under funding secured in last year’s appropriations bill. Senator John Fetterman acknowledged this point, noting that the shutdown “literally has zero impact on ICE.”
Instead, the brunt of the disruption is expected to fall on other DHS components, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), responsible for coordinating disaster relief nationwide.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has also warned that prolonged funding gaps could lead to longer airport wait times and potential flight disruptions.
Negotiations at an Impasse
This marks the third shutdown of President Trump’s second term, following a record 43-day closure last October and November and a shorter four-day partial shutdown earlier this month—both linked to DHS funding disputes.
Under Senate rules, even unanimous support from the chamber’s 53 Republican senators would not suffice to advance the funding bill; at least 60 votes are required, meaning bipartisan cooperation is essential.
The White House has indicated a willingness to negotiate on aspects of immigration enforcement policy. Senate Majority Leader John Thune described the administration’s proposal as “an extremely serious offer,” while cautioning that Democrats are “never going to get their full wish list.”
Some concessions were secured during the previous shutdown after national outrage over the fatal shootings of civilians during enforcement operations in Minneapolis.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that federal agents operating in the city would begin wearing body cameras immediately, with plans to expand the measure nationwide.
Although the Senate entered a week-long recess on Thursday, lawmakers could be recalled to Washington if negotiations accelerate. For now, however, talks between the White House and congressional Democrats remain stalled, prolonging uncertainty for federal workers and the agencies that safeguard the nation’s borders, airports, and disaster response systems.
