The federal government has entered a partial shutdown for the third time in six months after Congress was unable to agree on all twelve annual spending bills.
This shutdown uniquely impacts the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) only, as Democrats stepped back from a bipartisan agreement to fund the department due to unrest surrounding President Trump’s immigration policies in Minneapolis.
Interestingly, while the federal government is about 97% funded at this point, the DHS situation is still affecting everyday Americans, a reality that will likely become more pronounced if the deadlock continues.
DHS closure implications: Unpaid work and effects on airports and disaster response
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which manages security at approximately 440 airports across the country, may see the most significant impact from this partial shutdown in terms of daily life.
According to Acting Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeil, about 95% of TSA employees, totaling around 61,000, are deemed essential and will be required to work without pay if the shutdown lasts.
She mentioned some of the hardships faced by TSA workers during the last closure, like police officers sleeping in their cars at airports or selling blood to make ends meet.
However, TSA employees did receive back pay after previous shutdowns, and those who worked through the entire period were also awarded a $10,000 bonus for their efforts.
Looking ahead, March 3 is when TSA paychecks are expected to be distributed, and if the shutdown persists, employee payment may be affected, although they’re not at immediate risk of missing their full pay until March 17.
This delay could lead to significant slowdowns and even cancellations at busy airports as TSA workers might need to take time off or find alternative income sources.
Financial assistance during natural disasters
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) stands as one of the largest beneficiaries of federal funding from DHS.
During a recent session with lawmakers, Deputy Director of the Office of Response and Recovery, Greg Phillips, stated that FEMA has enough funds to continue its disaster response operations through the immediate shutdown but could be stretched thin if unexpected catastrophic events occur.
This situation implies that Americans, who end up facing natural disasters during the shutdown, might see delays in getting federal reimbursements for damage to their properties and businesses.
Further complicating matters, those who have already endured disasters in the previous year and haven’t yet received help from FEMA might experience additional delays.
“In my short time here, we’ve already spent $3 billion in 45 days on 5,000 projects,” he noted. “We’re trying our best to reduce the backlog, but we’re working within our limits. Once this situation resolves, progress will resume.”
Potential delays in worker visa processing
Business owners in the U.S. who depend on certain worker visas might find processing times extended due to the DHS shutdown.
This is primarily because the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which manages most immigration applications and temporary visas, operates under DHS.
While many of its programs are funded by fees and remain largely unaffected, certain areas like e-Verify and the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Center Program rely on Congressional appropriations, which might face disruptions.
If e-Verify encounters issues during the shutdown, USCIS may allow employers to use alternative methods, although it’s uncertain how much additional responsibility this will place on employers needing to adapt to new processes.
