The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has partially shut down after Congress failed to reach agreement on immigration enforcement changes, deepening a political standoff between the White House and Senate Democrats.
Funding expired at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday (14 February) after lawmakers left Washington without a compromise.
Congress is not scheduled to return until 23 February, although leaders say members could be recalled if a deal is reached earlier.
Most DHS employees, including staff at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Transportation Security Administration and the Coast Guard, are expected to continue working because their roles are considered critical. However, they will not receive pay during the funding lapse.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, which are at the center of the political dispute, are largely shielded from disruption.
Both agencies still have access to $75 billion approved last year under President Donald Trump’s domestic policy package, allowing operations and pay to continue.
Earlier this week, Senate Republicans failed to advance legislation to fund DHS for the remainder of the fiscal year, falling short of the 60 votes required to overcome a filibuster.
A separate attempt to pass a two-week stopgap measure was blocked by Democrats, who have made clear they will not support another short-term extension without enforcement reforms.
Democrats have outlined a list of proposed changes, including requiring federal agents to display identification, obtain judicial warrants before entering private property and stop wearing face coverings during operations.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats are prepared to fund DHS but insist on what he described as “serious guardrails” to rein in enforcement practices. He argued the administration’s latest proposal does not go far enough.
A senior White House official said Democrats had rejected the administration’s most recent counterproposal. While expressing willingness to negotiate, the official said the administration would not accept limits that undermine the president’s authority on border security.
Republicans have stressed that immigration enforcement will continue despite the shutdown. House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole said ICE and Border Patrol remain fully funded and accused Democrats of prolonging the standoff for political reasons.
The administration has pointed to steps taken after the Minnesota incident, including leadership changes in the region and the deployment of body cameras for immigration officers. Enforcement operations in Minnesota have since been scaled back.
Unlike last year’s 43-day government-wide shutdown, the current lapse affects only DHS, as other agencies are funded through September. However, Senate rules requiring 60 votes to pass funding legislation mean bipartisan support is necessary.
A new national poll shows public approval of the president’s handling of immigration has declined in recent months, adding further pressure as negotiations continue.
For now, DHS remains partially closed, with no clear timeline for resolution.
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