The funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has lapsed over the weekend because of a lack of agreement between lawmakers regarding the limitations that Democrats are demanding for federal immigration agents. Although the funding has expired, most of the activities of the department are still proceeding.
Congress is still deadlocked over the issue of reinstating funding for the department, with Democrats demanding that the powers of immigration agents enforcing President Trump’s immigration policies be limited.
Although the department has technically been shut down, most of its activities are still proceeding, with most of its employees working without pay, just like during the previous shutdown.
What Agencies Fall Under the Department of Homeland Security?
The Department of Homeland Security is a massive federal entity that supervises several agencies, such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The immigration enforcement agencies of the Department of Homeland Security, namely Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), have been under intense scrutiny during the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. This is especially true after the fatal shooting of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis last month.
What Is the Shutdown Dispute About?
Democrats, lacking political power since the Republicans control the House, Senate, and White House, are using their voting power on funding bills to bring about a change in DHS policies. Since a filibuster requires 60 votes to overcome in the Senate, Republicans cannot pass a funding bill without the help of Democrats.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer attacked ICE on Sunday, terming it a “rogue agency,” while urging Republicans to accept the constraints proposed by Democrats.
Schumer attacked ICE on Sunday, terming it a “rogue agency,” while urging Republicans to accept the constraints proposed by Democrats.
What Restrictions Are Democrats Demanding?
The Democrats are also pushing for several new limits on immigration agents, such as the need for judicial warrants to make arrests within homes, the display of identification during operations, and the prohibition of face masks during enforcement activities.
The Democrats have also called for tougher regulations on the use of force, new training requirements, and the halt of roaming patrol activities.
The Republicans have rejected many of these demands, claiming that they are unnecessary. They have also insisted that any new limits on federal law enforcement agents must be accompanied by restrictions on so-called “sanctuary cities.”
White House border czar Tom Homan, who recently oversaw operations in Minnesota before announcing the end of a surge deployment there, defended agents’ use of masks. He said threats against ICE officers had risen dramatically, with assaults up by more than 1,500 percent and threats up by over 8,000 percent, and argued that agents needed to protect themselves.
How Will the Shutdown Affect DHS Agencies?
The shutdown will not bring DHS operations to a complete stop. Department officials have said essential missions will continue despite the funding lapse.
ICE and CBP are expected to experience minimal disruption, with officers continuing their duties. Nearly 85 percent of FEMA personnel are expected to keep working without pay, with similar levels of staffing at other DHS agencies.
What Does the Shutdown Mean for Travelers?
Roughly 95 percent of TSA’s approximately 60,000 employees are required to continue working during a shutdown.
However, there is still a possibility of airport delays. During last fall’s record 43-day shutdown, disruptions were initially limited but worsened over time as absenteeism among air traffic controllers and TSA agents increased.
In the current shutdown, lawmakers have already funded the Transportation Department, meaning air traffic controllers will not be directly impacted. TSA staff, however, remain vulnerable to disruptions as the standoff continues.
