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.
SpaceX’s next-generation Starship rocket reached orbit for the first time on Monday despite an unexpected engine shutdown, deploying 26 new S...
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence says its forces killed 28 fighters and captured 32 others in Nuristan after armed groups, including alleged...
EU defence ministers have stepped up talks on military readiness and long-term support for Ukraine, as pressure mounts on Europe to close critical ...
Iran has called for a diplomatic solution after U.S. President Donald Trump rejected its Hormuz proposal, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was awaiting a definitive U.S. response through mediators.
A Russian guided aerial bomb has struck an apartment building in Kharkiv, injuring 22 people, including children, according to the city’s mayor. The strike follows a day of near-continuous Russian attacks across Ukraine that killed at least five people.
British police have arrested five men on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act after a major security incident was declared near RAF Fairford, a British air base used by U.S. air forces in Gloucestershire, England.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has arrived in Washington for talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on bilateral ties and key regional and international developments, Saudi state news agency SPA reported.
Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 28 September 2026. These are the top stories making headlines in technology.
SpaceX’s next-generation Starship rocket reached orbit for the first time on Monday despite an unexpected engine shutdown, deploying 26 new Starlink satellites before ending its shortened test flight with a controlled touchdown in the Pacific.
EU defence ministers have stepped up talks on military readiness and long-term support for Ukraine, as pressure mounts on Europe to close critical defence gaps and strengthen its ability to respond to security threats.
China and the U.S. have unveiled a broader package of economic cooperation after President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Washington, covering tariffs, agriculture, coal, finance, aviation and artificial intelligence.
The European Union is considering targeted accession roadmaps for Ukraine, Moldova, Montenegro and Albania, offering clearer reform priorities and timelines as Brussels looks to speed up enlargement.
A decade ago, a far-right party winning a major Western European election would have caused a political shock. Today, such results are increasingly becoming part of Europe’s political landscape.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment