US Department of Homeland Security to go into shutdown due to funding lapse
Al Jazeera
February 13, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is facing a shutdown due to a funding lapse as legislators failed to reach an agreement on a budget bill. The Senate adjourned without passing the necessary legislation, leaving DHS operations at risk of suspension when funding expires at midnight on Saturday. This impasse stems from political divisions over immigration policies, with Democrats demanding reforms to ICE following incidents in Minnesota that raised concerns about agent conduct and violence.
Democrats have tied their support for DHS funding to changes in immigration enforcement practices, such as banning masked ICE agents and ending raids on sensitive locations like schools and churches. However, Republicans have rejected these demands, arguing they are unreasonable. With the Senate requiring a 60-vote threshold for major legislation, the Republican-backed bill fell short of the required votes, with only 52 senators supporting it.
The shutdown could force tens of thousands of federal employees to work without pay or face furloughs if funding is not restored soon. Agencies like TSA, which operates under DHS, have warned that unpaid staff could lead to delays in travel security and longer wait times at airports. While the core functions of ICE and CBP remain largely unaffected due to prior funding from Trump-era legislation, the broader implications for federal workers and the economy are significant.
This shutdown underscores the ongoing political gridlock in Washington and highlights the high stakes of using government funding as a tool for political negotiation. It also raises questions about the long-term stability of DHS operations and the potential consequences of prolonged budget disputes on both federal employees and public services. As the situation evolves, it remains a key issue for those tracking developments in world and politics, particularly given its connection to broader debates over immigration reform and federal governance.
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/13/2026