Government Shutdown Starts as Lawmakers Disagree on Immigration

The U.S. government has partially shut down because politicians in Congress could not agree on money for the Department of Homeland Security. This disagreement is about new rules for immigration. Many government workers might not get paid for their work, and some services could be slowed down.
By Newsroom | Politics, USA |

A partial shutdown of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has commenced, affecting various agencies and impacting federal workers. Lawmakers failed to pass funding bills by a Friday midnight deadline, leading to this disruption. The situation raises concerns about potential delays in essential services, particularly at airports, and financial hardship for government employees.

T.S.A. Workers Brace for Another Shutdown They Didn’t Cause - 1

The immediate cause of the shutdown is a disagreement in Congress over funding for DHS, specifically tied to the inclusion of new restrictions on immigration enforcement. Senate Democrats blocked funding measures that did not address these immigration reforms.

T.S.A. Workers Brace for Another Shutdown They Didn’t Cause - 2

DHS Agencies and Operations Affected

The shutdown primarily impacts agencies under the DHS umbrella.

T.S.A. Workers Brace for Another Shutdown They Didn’t Cause - 3

  • Transportation Security Administration (TSA): While not an immediate impact on screening, extended shutdowns could affect airport operations. Thousands of TSA workers may continue to work without pay.

  • U.S. Coast Guard: This agency, also overseen by DHS, is expected to be affected.

  • Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): Initial reports suggest no immediate impact on ICE operations, as they received separate funding. However, acting director Todd Lyons noted potential effects on work combating transnational crime.

Federal Workforce Concerns

A significant concern is the financial strain placed upon federal workers.

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T.S.A. Workers Brace for Another Shutdown They Didn’t Cause - 4

  • Furloughs and Unpaid Work: An estimated 750,000 federal workers were furloughed, and an additional 690,000 continued working without pay in a previous shutdown. This current shutdown is expected to follow a similar pattern, affecting the 260,000+ personnel within DHS.

  • Financial Stress: Many federal employees experienced financial difficulties during past shutdowns, with concerns about missing paychecks and inability to cover living expenses.

  • Morale and Uncertainty: Workers have expressed fear and anxiety, with some noting a lack of communication from agency leadership regarding shutdown procedures. Some workers have even been instructed to falsely record their work hours to appear furloughed.

Legislative Impasse

The shutdown stems from a legislative stalemate regarding the budget and immigration policy.

  • Disputed Funding Bills: Senate Democrats blocked funding bills that did not incorporate immigration reforms they support.

  • Calls for Resolution: Unions, such as the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), representing hundreds of thousands of federal workers, have called for an immediate end to the shutdown, emphasizing the disruption to those who "keep the country running."

Historical Context and Previous Impacts

This is not the first instance of a federal government shutdown affecting DHS and its workers.

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  • Previous Shutdowns: Past shutdowns have led to significant disruptions, including furloughs, unpaid work, and financial hardship for federal employees and their families. Some workers, like subcontractors, have even faced risks of not receiving lost wages.

  • Worker Sacrifice: Federal employees have questioned the justification for their sacrifices during these periods of uncertainty and missed pay.

Expert Analysis

  • Congressman Glenn Ivey: Stated there is "a lot of concern, there is a lot fear, there is a lot anger" among federal workers, anticipating a "big impact."

  • American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE): Described the shutdown as "punishing the very people who keep the country running" and urged for workers to be reinstated with full back pay.

Conclusion and Implications

The current DHS shutdown is a direct result of a legislative failure to agree on funding, exacerbated by political disputes over immigration policy. The immediate consequences include uncertainty for federal employees, with many facing unpaid work or furloughs, and potential disruptions to public services, such as air travel. The repeated nature of these shutdowns highlights a recurring challenge in federal budget negotiations and underscores the significant human cost borne by federal workers. The resolution of this shutdown will likely depend on further negotiations between House and Senate lawmakers concerning the federal budget and immigration reforms.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is the government shutting down?
Lawmakers in Congress could not agree on a plan to pay for the Department of Homeland Security. They also disagree about new rules for immigration.
Q: Who is affected by the shutdown?
Many workers at the Department of Homeland Security might not get paid. This includes people who work at airports and in other important jobs.
Q: What is the disagreement about?
Some lawmakers want to include new rules about immigration in the money bill. Others do not agree with these rules.
Q: What happens to government workers?
Many government workers will have to stop working and will not get paid. Some might still have to work but will not get paid until the shutdown ends.
Q: When will the shutdown end?
The shutdown will end when lawmakers in Congress agree on a plan to fund the government and decide on immigration rules.