DHS Employees Struggle Financially as Partial Government Shutdown Lingers Unresolved
A Department of Homeland Security employee recently secured an $11,000 loan intended for essential roof repairs. However, since Congress failed to approve funding for the agency in February, that borrowed money has been diverted to cover basic family necessities—such as groceries, gasoline, and mortgage payments—while he continues to work without receiving a paycheck.
"We'll have to repay that line of credit, then figure out what we'll do about our roof," said the employee's wife, a schoolteacher who requested anonymity due to fears of retaliation. "My husband has always been able to support our family, but that is no longer the case."
Public Perception Versus Reality of the Shutdown
Many Americans might believe the partial government shutdown has concluded, especially after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to provide backpay for Transportation Security Administration officers, which alleviated visible airport security delays. However, Congress has not yet passed legislation to fund DHS operations, leaving tens of thousands of workers classified as "excepted" personnel who clock in without compensation.
The temporary fix for TSA has inadvertently worsened the situation for other DHS employees by reducing political pressure to reach a funding agreement. Lawmakers have even adjourned for a two-week recess, ensuring the shutdown will persist at least until mid-April.
"The concern is that now that the public-facing problem has been resolved, this could just stretch out indefinitely, because we just don't have the same exposure," noted a DHS employee regarding the backpay for TSA officers.
Scope of the Shutdown's Impact
A DHS spokesperson declined to specify the exact number of agency employees working without pay or furloughed, estimating it in the "tens of thousands" across sub-agencies like U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Various DHS sub-agencies also did not provide detailed figures.
DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis attributed the standoff to Democrats, stating in an email, "This is now the longest shutdown in U.S. history. Democrats need to stop holding these hard-working DHS employees hostage and putting politics above national security."
Disparities in Funding and Worker Suffering
Many affected workers have minimal connection to the shutdown's central issue: Trump's controversial immigration policies, which have involved incidents like the deaths of protestors in Minneapolis. Democrats have advocated for stricter use-of-force protocols, while Republicans have allowed funding to lapse. Notably, immigration and border agents continue to be paid through separate funds from Trump's initiatives, shielding them financially.
In contrast, DHS administrative and support staff are resorting to accepting canned goods and gas gift cards after missing three and a half paychecks. "Congress is wanting to punish the ICE agents, the Border Patrol agents—those are the ones on the front lines," explained the wife of the employee with roof issues. "The ones who have nothing to do with what happened, they're the ones being punished."
House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Republicans rejected a Senate bill that would have funded all DHS components except for ICE and Border Patrol, further complicating the situation.
Accountability and Personal Financial Strain
The shutdown may undermine accountability in the short term, as employees in CBP's Office of Professional Responsibility—responsible for screening officers and investigating misconduct—are working without pay. Absenteeism tends to increase during shutdowns when employees opt out of unpaid work.
A DHS source revealed that many employees are making hardship withdrawals from their thrift savings plans, intended for retirement, which can incur early-distribution penalties. The National Treasury Employees Union represents approximately 4,000 unpaid CBP workers who labor alongside colleagues still receiving paychecks.
Union President Doreen Greenwald emphasized the need for emergency funding similar to that provided to TSA agents, stating through a spokesperson, "Federal employees are living out of their cars, making painful decisions about how to feed their family, pay for prescriptions or fuel their car. They should not have to rely on public charity to survive."
Feelings of Neglect and Escalating Debt
A DHS employee working without pay expressed feeling "forgotten," as public attention focused heavily on TSA agents, leaving many unaware that others still lack compensation. "I'm happy that somebody is getting paid," she said regarding TSA agents. "My thing is I want everybody to get paid."
This worker has depleted much of her savings and may soon borrow from family or seek bank loans. She mentioned a coworker who took out a loan at 10% interest to cover elderly parent caregiving costs, with some employees requesting supervisor letters to explain the shutdown to lenders for leniency.
Legislative Stalemate and Future Outlook
Late last week, the Senate passed a bill to fund all DHS except ICE and Border Patrol, deferring debates on immigration accountability measures. However, House conservatives criticized the bill, and Speaker Johnson did not schedule a floor vote, prolonging the shutdown.
Public pressure to end the shutdown could resurge if TSA callouts increase and airport bottlenecks return. Trump's executive order addressed backpay for security screeners but did not ensure regular future payments. Meanwhile, the wife of the DHS employee anticipates missing a fourth paycheck, with their teenage daughter forgoing birthday presents this year.
"No child should feel that way," she lamented.
