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As Congress delays immigration changes, the US Homeland Security shutdown draws closer.

News Mania Desk /Piyal Chatterjee/ 14th February 2026

As Congress discuss potential limitations on President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda, another federal government shutdown is anticipated this weekend.

The Department of Homeland Security’s funding is scheduled to run out on Saturday. Following the shooting deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis last month, Democrats said they would not support the approval of further cash until new limitations are imposed on federal immigration operations.By the end of the week, the White House and the Democrats were unable to come to an agreement, ensuring that the department’s funding would expire.

The closures will be strictly limited, as only DHS-affiliated agencies, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, would be impacted, in contrast to the historic 43-day shutdown that occurred last fall. Still, some government employees may start missing paychecks, depending on how long the shutdown lasts.If the closure continues for weeks, services like airport screening may also be negatively impacted.

Approximately 95% of the Transportation Security Administration’s workforce is considered vital. At the country’s commercial airports, they will still examine travelers and their belongings. However, until the funding lapse is fixed, they will not be paid, which increases the likelihood that employees will be calling in or taking unplanned absence.

In essence, it’s because Trump granted Democrats’ request to remove funding for Homeland Security from a larger spending package in order to give negotiations over demands for changes to immigration enforcement—such as a code of conduct for federal agents and a requirement that officers present identification—more time. The temporary funding for Homeland Security ended on February 13.

Funding for the remainder of the federal government ends on September 30. This implies that the majority of federal programs, such as food aid, are untouched by the most recent shutdown, and that most federal employees’ and service members’ pay will continue as usual.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, US Customs and Border Protection, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Secret Service, and the Department of Homeland Security as a whole are all impacted by the funding shortfall.

Most Secret Service and U.S. Coast Guard employees will continue to work, but depending on how long the shutdown lasts, they may also miss a payment.

The closure will affect the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s capacity to pay states for disaster assistance. In addition to disrupting first responder training at the National Disaster and Emergency Management University in Maryland, some employees will be placed on furlough, which will hamper the agency’s capacity to collaborate with state and local partners.

Despite Democratic calls for improvements at ICE and CBP, Republicans have noted that the agencies’ operations will largely continue uninterrupted during a shutdown. That’s because ICE and CBP received roughly $75 billion and $65 billion, respectively, from Trump’s tax and budget cut measure that was approved by Republicans last year. These agencies can keep using the funds for Trump’s deportation efforts.


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