Federal government shutdown looms as Congress races to pass a $1.2 trillion appropriations package before the new fiscal year begins. While the shutdown would halt many federal operations, immigration-enforcement agencies such as ICE and Border Patrol are expected to keep operating.
At a Glance
- A lapse in funding could trigger the second federal shutdown in four months.
- ICE would remain funded thanks to $75 billion from last year’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” and a continuing resolution.
- The House’s $1.2 trillion bill would cut ICE funding by $115 million if passed.
- Why it matters: A shutdown would furlough workers in dozens of agencies but would likely leave ICE and border patrol running.
Introduction
The federal government is on the brink of a shutdown that could start Saturday. The House has already moved a $1.2 trillion funding package to the Senate, but Senate Democrats will only support it if it includes significant restrictions on ICE and other immigration-enforcement operations. Even if the government closes, ICE is projected to stay operational.
Potential Shutdown Timeline
- September 30: Current appropriations for six agencies expire.
- October 1: Fiscal year ends; remaining bills cover the rest of the budget.
- If no full-year bill is enacted, a continuing resolution (CR) would be needed to keep agencies funded.
ICE Operations During a Shutdown
A GOP source said ICE employees would be classified as excepted workers: they must keep working but will not receive pay. The agency already has $75 billion in reserves for detention and enforcement, giving it the financial cushion to operate for several years.
Key Points
- ICE would continue to receive funding from the $75 billion allocation.
- A CR would maintain ICE’s current funding level, avoiding a $115 million cut.
- The agency’s budget includes $20 million for body-camera equipment.
- Detention beds would be reduced by 5,500 under the new bill.
Funding Bill Details
The House’s $1.2 trillion package covers:
- Department of Defense: $831 billion
- State, Treasury, Transportation, Health and Human Services, HUD
- DHS (includes FEMA, TSA, Coast Guard)
The bill would cut ICE funding by $115 million and impose new guardrails, but would keep the agency’s funding flat for the rest of the fiscal year.
| Agency | Current Funding Status | Funding in $1.2 T Bill |
|---|---|---|
| DHS | $ (unknown) | $ (unknown) |
| DoD | $831 billion | $831 billion |
| State | $ (unknown) | $ (unknown) |
| Treasury | $ (unknown) | $ (unknown) |
| Transportation | $ (unknown) | $ (unknown) |
| Health & Human Services | $ (unknown) | $ (unknown) |
| HUD | $ (unknown) | $ (unknown) |
(Funding amounts for agencies other than DoD are not specified in the article.)
Impact on Other Agencies
A shutdown would affect agencies that rely on the $1.2 trillion package, including:
- Department of State
- Treasury
- Transportation
- Health and Human Services
- HUD
FEMA, TSA, and the Coast Guard would be forced to furlough workers and halt operations, even though they would still be required to work.
Political Dynamics
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Democrats would pass the five other appropriations bills if they are separated from the DHS funding bill. Republicans, however, see no incentive to split the bills, believing Democrats would be blamed for rejecting a bipartisan agreement.
Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, argued that the current bill would keep ICE funded for the remainder of the fiscal year while other agencies would furlough workers. She noted:
> “ICE received $75 billion in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. In the event of a lapse in funding, ICE would be able to sustain regular operations for multiple years, while the other agencies under this bill would likely be forced to furlough workers and reduce operations,” DeLauro’s office explained.
She added:
> “A continuing resolution would extend funding for ICE enforcement and removal operations at their current level, instead of reducing it by $115 million, and would exclude new guardrails contained in this full-year funding measure,” her office said.
Historical Context
- The last shutdown lasted 43 days, the longest in U.S. history.
- Eight Democrats ultimately voted with Republicans to reopen the government without a deal on Obamacare tax-credit extensions.
- Polling indicated Republicans shouldered more blame for the shutdown.
Key Takeaways
- A federal shutdown is likely if Congress fails to pass the $1.2 trillion bill by the end of the week.
- ICE and Border Patrol are expected to continue operating because of substantial reserves and a likely CR.
- The shutdown would furlough workers in many agencies, including DHS components like FEMA, TSA, and the Coast Guard.
- Senate Democrats will only support the funding bill if it imposes significant restrictions on ICE.
- The political divide over how to handle the funding bill could prolong the shutdown.
Sources told News Of Fort Worth Monday that DHS is reviewing body-camera footage from the incidents involving Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
