Partial shutdown of Homeland Security Department begins after Congress fails to approve funding

Immigration and Customs Enforcement is not expected to be impacted because of extra funding it received in its operating budget that was passed by Congress last year.

Published: February 14, 2026 12:50am

The Homeland Security entered a partial shutdown early Saturday after the Senate failed to approve funding for the rest of the year because of Democrat objections to immigration enforcement.

The Senate left town without the deal Thursday and is not expected to return until Feb. 23, unless the Trump administration reaches a funding deal with congressional Democratic leaders before then. 

Although certain agencies under DHS will be impacted by the shutdown, Immigration and Customs Enforcement is not expected to be impacted because of extra funding it received in its operating budget that was passed by Congress last year, which is expected to keep it operational for five years.

ICE is also considered essential to public safety so its operations would have been expected to continue, even if workers did not get paid. 

Agencies that are expected to be impacted by the shutdown include the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Transportation Security Administration, which warned air travelers Thursday that their flights could be impacted by the shutdown. Air Traffic Controllers will not be impacted because they are funded by the Transportation Department.

The United States Coast Guard could also be impacted by the shutdown because it falls under DHS, but it is only expected to suspend its trainings, while search and rescue operations will continue, CBS News reported.

The Facts Inside Our Reporter's Notebook

Unlock unlimited access

  • No Ads Within Stories
  • No Autoplay Videos
  • VIP access to exclusive Just the News newsmaker events hosted by John Solomon and his team.
  • Support the investigative reporting and honest news presentation you've come to enjoy from Just the News.
  • Just the News Spotlight

    Support Just the News