A partial government shutdown is now underway, focused solely on the Department of Homeland Security after Congress failed to approve funding legislation. The dispute centers on proposed oversight reforms for federal immigration officers following recent fatal incidents. Democrats are pushing accountability measures, while President Trump and Republican leaders have rejected the proposals. With Congress in recess and both sides entrenched, the shutdown could stretch into late February, affecting TSA, FEMA, and other DHS agencies.
A DHS-only government shutdown began Feb. 14 after Congress failed to pass funding amid a fight over immigration oversight reforms. Most DHS workers remain on duty without pay. Negotiations are stalled as lawmakers remain in recess. #DHS #GovernmentShutdown pic.twitter.com/5zwJmx94YL
— Matthew Brady (@mattbrady775) February 17, 2026
- A partial federal government shutdown began February 14, 2026, after Congress failed to pass funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through September.
- This is the second shutdown of 2026 and the third during President Trump’s second term.
- The dispute centers on oversight reforms for immigration agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
- Democrats are demanding reforms after fatal incidents involving federal officers in Minneapolis, including:
- Officers identifying themselves clearly
- Banning masks during operations
- Displaying unique ID numbers
- The Trump administration and Republicans have rejected the proposed reforms. Border adviser Tom Homan signaled no willingness to compromise.
- Congress is in recess until February 23, slowing negotiations.
- Roughly 90% of DHS’s 260,000+ employees are considered essential and continue working without pay.
- Affected agencies include:
- Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- United States Coast Guard
- United States Secret Service
- ICE and CBP
- Core border enforcement largely continues due to alternative funding from Trump’s 2025 tax and spending law.
- Broader federal operations (Social Security, mail delivery, most agencies) remain unaffected.
- The shutdown could extend beyond Congress’s return and potentially overlap with President Trump’s February 24 State of the Union address.
