The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) faces a partial shutdown starting February 14, 2026, after Congress failed to pass funding for the department. This comes amid ongoing disputes over immigration enforcement reforms, particularly related to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Unlike broader government shutdowns, this one affects only DHS and its agencies, impacting roughly 260,000 employees. About 90% of them are expected to keep working as “essential” personnel, though many will do so without pay, at least initially.
The shutdown stems from stalled negotiations. Democrats have demanded changes to ICE practices, such as stricter rules on operations, while Republicans and the Trump administration have resisted. Funding for key immigration agencies like ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) comes largely from last year’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (a major tax and reconciliation law), which provided tens of billions in extra funds. This means their core operations are likely to continue with minimal disruption, and some employees may even receive pay through creative funding shifts, as happened during the 43-day shutdown last fall.
However, the effects vary greatly across other DHS components. Here’s a breakdown of the major impacts:
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) TSA, with about 61,000 employees, will feel this shutdown most visibly for everyday Americans. Around 95% of its workforce—airport screeners and security staff—are deemed essential and must report to work without pay. During last fall’s long shutdown, many TSA officers called in sick, took second jobs, or faced severe financial hardship, leading to longer airport lines, flight delays, and pressure to end the impasse. Acting Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeil warned Congress this week that employees are still recovering from that experience, with some having slept in cars or sold plasma to get by. A repeat could worsen attrition (which spiked 25% last fall) just as spring break and summer travel ramps up. Federal air marshals might get paid through special measures, but most screeners likely won’t. McNeil emphasized that only a full DHS budget can reliably ensure pay.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) FEMA, with around 22,000 staff after recent workforce reductions, has about 84% of its employees classified as excepted (they keep working). Many frontline responders, including Cadre of On-Call Response/Recovery Employees (CORE) and reservists, are paid through the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF), which still has balances from prior appropriations. This allows emergency response and lifesaving activities to continue for the near term. However, a prolonged shutdown—especially if combined with a major disaster—could strain the fund and make paying these staff harder. Non-DR-funded employees would work unpaid, and overall coordination with state and local partners could suffer, delaying disaster claims processing and recovery efforts. Officials warned that this could erode public trust in federal emergency response.
U.S. Coast Guard The Coast Guard’s 56,000 active duty, reserve, and civilian personnel will mostly continue missions related to national security, life and property protection, and law enforcement. Routine patrols, fisheries enforcement, vessel inspections, and training (including for pilots and crews) would pause after a few days. Acting Vice Commandant Vice Adm. Thomas Allan stressed that even short shutdowns hurt morale—service members shouldn’t worry about paying rent while on duty in dangerous areas. Last fall, the administration redirected funds (including from the reconciliation bill) to keep paying Coast Guard members. A longer lapse could defer maintenance, halt credentialing for merchant mariners, and cost the economy billions through delayed commercial activities.
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) CISA plans to keep only 888 of its 2,341 employees as excepted, all working without pay. Focus would narrow to imminent threats, 24/7 operations, and protecting life/property. Broader prevention work—like sharing guidance, training, assessments, and finalizing cyber rules—would delay. Acting Director Madhu Gottumukkala noted the strain on national defenses amid rising cyber threats from nation-states and criminals. This comes after CISA already lost about one-third of its workforce to recent reductions, making a shutdown an added burden.
U.S. Secret Service About 94% of the agency’s 8,200 employees will continue working, often without pay initially. Core protective duties would persist, but reforms (sparked by recent events) in training, hiring, technology, and recruitment would stall. Deputy Director Matthew Quinn told lawmakers that delays in contracts, hiring, and programs create long-term ripple effects on morale and readiness. Partnerships, like training for law enforcement or work with missing children organizations, could halt.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Most USCIS operations run on user fees, so staff should continue working and getting paid. However, programs funded by appropriations—like the E-Verify system—would face curtailment.
Overall, this DHS-specific shutdown is narrower than last fall’s record 43-day event but still risks morale issues, workforce strain, and service delays—especially at TSA airports and in disaster readiness. The administration used funding maneuvers last time to pay some law enforcement and military personnel, but it’s unclear if that will repeat here. Leaders from multiple agencies have urged Congress to pass a budget soon to avoid putting frontline workers through another unpaid hardship. As of February 14, 2026, the lapse has begun, with no immediate resolution in sight.
